Australia should enact a world-leading law to apply targeted sanctions to perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption, according to a new Australian Parliament report.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 December 2020

  Australia should enact a world-leading law to apply targeted sanctions to perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption, according to a new Australian Parliament report. Tabling the report today, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP said Magnitsky-style targeted sanctions will align Australia with a global movement seeking to limit opportunities for human rights abusers, corrupt officials and their beneficiaries to enjoy the proceeds of their abuses. ‘These recommendations would see Australia strengthen our commitment to protecting the human rights of people around the world. The report’s recommendations would see Australia implement a world leading version of Magnitsky legislation,’ Mr Andrews said. The recommended targeted sanctions would include banning entry to Australia, and the capacity to seize assets. ‘We cannot control whether perpetrators are brought to justice within their home country, but targeted sanctions legislation will make Australian beaches, schools, medical care and financial institutions off-limits to people who have profited from unconscionable conduct,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘A targeted sanctions regime for serious human rights abuse and corruption will close the gap of opportunity for perpetrators and stop Australia becoming a safe haven for these people.’ The report follows a wide-ranging inquiry which commenced in 2019 and incorporates submissions from over 160 individuals and organisations from around the world. During the inquiry, the sub-committee heard evidence from a range of expert witnesses including Geoffrey Robertson AO QC, Amal Clooney and Garry Kasparov. Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Senator David Fawcett, has endorsed the Sub-committee’s report. ‘The community, legal experts, victims of human rights abuse, and our allies have spoken and the Committee has listened,’ Senator Fawcett said. ‘Australia has an opportunity to become a leader in addressing human rights abuse and corruption, and we should do so at the first opportunity. ‘Cooperation with like-minded nations on this matter has the potential to protect the human rights of countless citizens around the world. Australia is an attractive destination for investment and lifestyle, and we have the opportunity to reduce incentives for corrupt and unscrupulous human rights abusers.’ ‘Respect for individuals and the freedoms that underpin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lie at the heart of the values that have enabled the global rules based order to bring increased security and prosperity to the people of so many nations in recent decades.’ You can read the full report by clicking here. Media enquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt ‘Magnitsky-style’ laws will hear from the Export Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group at a teleconference round table this week.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 30 September 2020

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt ‘Magnitsky-style’ laws will hear from the Export Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group at a teleconference round table this week. The inquiry, run by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Human Rights Sub-committee will be led by Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, who says the Sub-Committee is looking forward to the opportunity to speak with representatives of Australian business and industry to hear their perspective on the possible adoption of new Targeted Sanctions legislation. More information about this inquiry, including submissions received by the Committee to date, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 1 October 2020 Time: 1:00pm – 2.30pm Location: Via teleconference The hearings will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt ‘Magnitsky-style’ laws will hear from world champion chess grandmaster and human rights commentator Garry Kasparov at a teleconference hearing this week.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 24 June 2020

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt ‘Magnitsky-style’ laws will hear from world champion chess grandmaster and human rights commentator Garry Kasparov at a teleconference hearing this week. The inquiry, run by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Human Rights Sub-committee will be led by Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, who says the Sub-Committee is looking forward to the opportunity to speak to Mr Kasparov. ‘In addition to his career as a professional chess player, Mr Kasparov has become notable in recent years for his advocacy for democratic principles around the world, and for his criticism of elements of the Russian government,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘Mr Kasparov has been a strong advocate for Magnitsky-style legislation in other jurisdictions, and we are grateful that he has agreed to provide his perspective on such legislation in an Australian context’. Also appearing at the hearing will be retired Australian diplomat Tony Kevin. In contrast with Mr Kasparov, Mr Kevin opposes Magnitsky-style legislation, writing in a submission to the inquiry that in his view such laws violate ‘international law and commonly accepted international practice’. ‘While submissions to the inquiry have been overwhelmingly supportive of targeted sanctions, the Committee has noted some evidence with differing views,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘This public hearing will give the Sub-Committee the opportunity to interrogate arguments both for and against Magnitsky-style legislation in detail.’ More information about this inquiry, including submissions received by the Committee to date, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 25 June 2020 Time: 3:15pm – 4.45pm Location: Via teleconference The hearings will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

The International Commission of Jurists, the Law Council of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will give evidence at public hearings for the Magnitsky Act inquiry.

Media release issue date: Friday, 12 June 2020

The International Commission of Jurists, the Law Council of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will give evidence at public hearings for the Magnitsky Act inquiry. The public hearings being held by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Human Rights Sub-Committee are part of the inquiry into whether Australia should adopt laws to impose targeted sanctions on individuals who commit human rights abuses. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, says the inquiry will benefit from evidence from Australian legal experts and departmental officials. ‘The Human Rights Sub-committee has continued its work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging conditions, and to the credit of many witnesses and submitters, we have built a body of evidence to inform the Sub-Committee’s consideration of targeted sanctions,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘These public hearings will add further evidence from Australian legal and human rights experts’. Public hearing details Date: Monday 15 June 2020 Time: 8.30 am – 10.00 am Witnesses: International Commission of Jurists and the Law Council of Australia Location: Via videoconference Date: Wednesday 17 June 2020 Time: 12 noon – 2.00 pm Witnesses: Human Rights Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Location: Via videoconference The hearings will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Ms Amal Clooney and Mr Geoffrey Robertson OAM, Queens Counsel will be among the experts to appear before an inquiry on whether to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 14 May 2020

Ms Amal Clooney and Mr Geoffrey Robertson OAM, Queens Counsel will be among the experts to appear before an inquiry on whether to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses. The hearing is part of the Magnitsky Act inquiry being conducted by the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Other expert witnesses will include the Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury representing the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, Professor Irwin Cotler and Mr Bill Browder, widely credited with instigating Magnitsky legislation. The public hearing on Friday 15 May will take place in Committee Room 2R1, with witnesses via videoconference, and proceedings will be broadcast via aph.gov.au/live. Program: Friday 15 May 2020 Morning session   8:30 am Vladimir Kara-Murza 9:20 am Ms Amal Clooney 10:30 am 10-minute break   10:40 am Professor Irwin Cotler 11:40 am Close Afternoon session   4:30 pm Lord Neuberger 5:30 pm Mr Bill Browder 6:30pm Geoffrey Robertson, OAM 7:30pm Close   Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Mr Geoffery Robertson OAM Queens Counsel and Ms Amal Clooney will be among the experts to appear before an inquiry on whether to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses.

Media release issue date: Friday, 8 May 2020

Mr Geoffery Robertson OAM Queens Counsel and Ms Amal Clooney will be among the experts to appear before an inquiry on whether to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses. The public hearing will be held on Friday 15th May at Parliament House with witnesses appearing via videoconference. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, confirmed that interest in the Inquiry is strong, with international human rights legal experts keen to provide evidence. ‘The Sub-Committee looks forward to contributions from a number of pre-eminent human rights experts who are experienced with Magnitsky-style laws at the global level. The Sub-Committee will learn from international experience and collaboration. The evidence indicates that communication and collaboration between jurisdictions is vital to the success of targeted sanctions’, Mr Andrews said. Other witnesses will include the Rt. Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury representing the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, Professor Irwin Cotler and Mr Bill Browder, widely credited with instigating Magnitsky legislation. Senator Fawcett, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade said, ‘The level of interest in this inquiry reflects the high level of international commitment to human rights, and recognition that Australia’s contribution to a global collective effort is vital’. The proceedings will be broadcast via aph.gov.au/live. Morning and evening sessions will allow experts from various time zones to participate. A full program will be released closer to the time. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt Magnitsky-style laws to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses will hold two further public hearings this week, via teleconference.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 28 April 2020

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt Magnitsky-style laws to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses will hold two further public hearings this week, via teleconference. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, says the inquiry is continuing, working around restrictions arising from the COVID-19, using teleconferences to connect witnesses and Sub-Committee Members. ‘A number of stakeholders have expressed support for the inquiry continuing, reflecting on the hardships their communities have been through in relation to human rights issues’, Mr Andrews said.  ‘These teleconference hearings will provide further evidence to inform a comprehensive report that the Human Rights Sub-committee is aiming to deliver later in the year.’ The public hearings will provide an opportunity for the Sub-committee to hear from human rights advocates and community groups. Due to the current circumstances the Sub-committee is continuing to take submissions via the Inquiry website until April 30 2020. For further information, contact the Secretariat on 02 6277 2312 or jscfadt@aph.gov.au. Public hearing details Via teleconference Tuesday 28 April 2020 12.00pm – 12.45pm Thursday 30 April 2020 9.30am – 10.30am Audio of the hearings will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt Magnitsky-style laws to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses will hold its first public hearing this week, via teleconference.

Media release issue date: Monday, 30 March 2020

An inquiry into whether Australia should adopt Magnitsky-style laws to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit human rights abuses will hold its first public hearing this week, via teleconference. Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, says the inquiry will continue despite the spread of COVID-19, using technology to enable witnesses and Sub-Committee Members to perform their roles while maintaining social distancing. ‘It’s important that the Australian Parliament continue its work in these difficult times,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘This teleconference hearing will enable the Human Rights Sub-committee to advance our inquiry. This is important work and we will be pressing on to deliver a comprehensive report later this year.’ The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the Sub-committee to hear from human rights advocates and community groups. ‘These groups have overwhelmingly expressed their support for Australia to expand its targeted sanction laws and give the Australian government more options in dealing with human rights violators,’ Mr Andrews said. In light of the current circumstances arising from the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Sub-committee will be holding its public hearings via teleconference until further notice. Due to the current circumstances the Sub-committee is continuing to take submissions. If you would like to make a submission please contact the Secretariat on 02 6277 2312 or jscfadt@aph.gov.au. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 31 March 2020 Time: 9.00 am – 1.15 pm Location: Via teleconference The hearing will be streamed at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott 03 9848 9900 02 6277 4023 cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2312 jscfadt@aph.gov.au

Senator the Hon David Fawcett, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, announced today a new parliamentary inquiry which will examine whether Australia should adopt legal measures to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit gross human rights abuses.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Senator the Hon David Fawcett, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, announced today a new parliamentary inquiry which will examine whether Australia should adopt legal measures to impose sanctions upon individuals who commit gross human rights abuses. The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, says the inquiry is an excellent opportunity to shape how Australia combats human rights abuses both at home and abroad. ‘Australia’s efforts to combat human rights abuses are broad, and the ability to impose sanctions against individuals who hold assets in Australia and commit gross human rights abuses abroad is a valuable tool in fighting such abuses,’ Mr Andrews said. ‘A thorough examination of our current regime and how it compares internationally, particularly with the United States’ Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act will enable any strengthening measures to be implemented and to ensure our regime is functioning effectively.’ Mr Andrews said the inquiry will focus upon Australia’s current sanctions laws regarding human rights abuses worldwide, how these laws are currently enforced and comparing them to other jurisdictions to determine if and how Australia may be able to strengthen its laws and approach to combatting to international human rights abuses. ‘Inquiries like these reinforce Australia’s ongoing commitment to the promotion and defence of human rights around the world,’ Mr Andrews said. Submissions to the inquiry are now being called for, and are due by 31 January 2020. International submissions will be open until 28 February 2020. Media inquiries The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Contact: Cristy Elliott on 03 9848 9900 / 02 6277 4023/ (cristy.elliott@aph.gov.au) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au