Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Welcomes Unanimous Approval of Important Russia and Lord’s Resistance Army Human Rights Measures by House Foreign Affairs Committee

Washington, D.C. -- Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chairmen Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) welcomed the unanimous approval today by the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act and a resolution expressing support for robust U.S. efforts to bring to justice top commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Both measures were introduced by Mr. McGovern and are cosponsored by Mr. Wolf.

The Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act (H.R. 4405) would hold accountable individuals responsible for gross human rights violations in Russia, including the torture and death of Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, by imposing a visa ban and asset freeze on them.

The LRA resolution (H.Res. 583) calls on the United States and other countries to redouble their efforts to bring to justice Joseph Kony and other LRA commanders and to permanently end the group's atrocities.

"The Foreign Affairs Committee's approval of these measures is a great step forward for human rights. The Magnitsky bill's sanctions on major human rights violators provide for real accountability for human rights abuses in Russia. The LRA resolution sends a strong message that the United States remains determined to end the LRA's reign of terror. Enactment of these measures will show that the promotion of human rights is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy," said McGovern.

"Today's approval of these measures by the House Foreign Affairs Committee sends the important message that individuals who commit gross violations of human rights, be they in Europe or Africa, cannot escape accountability for their actions," said Wolf.

Both co-chairmen expressed their appreciation that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, also a cosponsor of both measures, had scheduled a mark-up for these critical, bipartisan initiatives.

The mission of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission is to promote and advocate human rights in a nonpartisan manner both inside and outside of Congress.