Petition To The Canadian House Of Commons To Use Canada's Magnitsky Act
On February 24th 2022 Russia launched a large-scale invasion of the country of Ukraine[1], this invasion is in clear violation of international law and has already resulted in the deaths of over 200 innocent Ukrainian citizens[2].
The Canadian Government has made it clear it is unable/unwilling to help Ukraine with military forces to further prevent the aggression of the Russian state, however along with aid and financial support it is in Parliament's power to sanction and seize the Canadian assets of Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials, oligarchs and other complicit parties[3].
WHAT IS CANADA'S MAGNITSKY LEGISLATION?
In October of 2017 Canadian Parliament passed the Justice For Victims Of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act[4], this act is the equivalent to the United States Magnitsky Act[5] which was passed in the US in 2012 and further expanded in 2016[6]. These laws and other similar legislation in countries through out the world allow governments to sanction and seize the assets of foreign nationals engaging in "responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights[7]". To date Canada has sanctioned more than 50 individuals (including 30 Russian officials) using the JVCFO Act[8].
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
Since 2017 a number of foreign nationals have been sanctioned under the act, the most recent being a number of Chinese Communist Party officials in March of 2021[9]. As Russia continues it's illegal war and occupation of Ukraine the time has come to:
1.) Further sanction known foreign nationals in Russia who have already been targeted by the act and
2.) Identification and sanction of Russian party officials, heads of industry, military commanders, propaganda outlets and anyone else involved in the country's war machine who have not yet been targeted.
WHAT CAN I DO?
SIGN THE PETITION for presentation to the house of commons. With enough votes this petition will be presented to the House Of Commons for a response.
