[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 151 (Thursday, November 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RUSSIA AND MOLDOVA JACKSON-VANIK REPEAL AND SERGEI MAGNITSKY RULE OF 
                     LAW ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 
6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012. This 
legislation sends the wrong message, rewarding President Putin with 
trade privileges at a time when he is crushing pro-democracy voices at 
home and arming the murderous Assad regime in Syria.
  Russia has repeatedly and deliberately blocked international efforts 
to bring an end to the violence in Syria. The Russian government 
continues to arm President Bashar alAssad as he murders his own people. 
Just last month, the Turkish government seized munitions from a Russian 
flight intended for the Syrian Army. The violence has had a devastating 
impact on Syrian civilians, with 2.5 million internally displaced and 
over 400,000 registered refugees living in neighboring countries. By 
early next year, 4 million Syrians will need humanitarian assistance. 
Russia's support of the Syrian Army is extending the conflict, which 
increases the risks of destabilization within the region. The conflict 
has already spilled over Syria's borders into Turkey and Lebanon. 
Before I support any legislation favorable to Russia, that country's 
leaders must stop arming the Syrian regime and allow the international 
community to take action to end the violence.
  Proponents of this legislation argue it is time for Russia to 
graduate from Jackson-Vanik. This graduation, however, would take place 
in the middle of a serious crackdown on human rights in Russia. In the 
past year, the Russian government has forced international non-
governmental organizations out of the country and imposed harsh 
sentences on individuals for peaceful protest. Just three days ago, 
President Putin signed a law that expands the definition of treason so 
broadly that any individual working with an international organization 
is at risk of being jailed for treason. These repressive tactics signal 
a serious step backward for Russia's human rights record.
  H.R. 6156 contains the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability 
Act, which would require President Obama to publically name those 
responsible for Mr. Magnitsky's torture and murder. The President would 
then be able to address those persons and other human rights abusers 
with individual sanctions, including prohibitions on travel to the 
United States and the use of American banking facilities. Those 
responsible for Mr. Magnitsky's murder should be brought to justice. 
While I support this provision, it is not enough to justify voting for 
the bill, which ignores the continued suffering of millions in Russia 
and Syria.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing H.R. 6156.

                          ____________________