Explainer: Magnitsky Sanction: How Does it Work and Where

Known as the Global Magnitsky Accountability Act, it is a tool used to impose sanctions on foreign individuals for corruption and human rights violations. Those sanctioned are not allowed entry into the U.S. territories, are denied access to the U.S. banking system, and have properties under U.S. jurisdiction seized if they have any. 

Sergei Leonidovich Magnitsky, after whom the Act was named, was a Ukrainian-born Russian tax advisor responsible for exposing corruption and misconduct by Russian government officials. He was arrested by Russian authorities in 2008 for exposing massive tax fraud totaling US$230m linked to people connected to the Kremlin, a citadel within a Russian town. Magnitsky was beaten in custody and died in 2009, days before his supposed release.

The act is named in honor of Magnitsky to fight corruption and promote human rights globally. Immediate family members, including minors of those sanctioned, are also affected.  These sanctions can take the form of asset freezes for funds held in US banks and bans on visas for those coming to the US. 

So far, during the administration of President George Manneh Weah, nine senior officials of the Liberian government have been sanctioned. They include Jefferson Koijee, the Monrovia City Mayor and secretary general of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie, Minister of Finance Samuel Tweah, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Margibi County Senator Emmanuel Nuquay for human rights abuse and corruption. 

Others include Nathaniel McGill, now senator of Margibi County; Sayma Syrenius Cephus; and former National Port Authority Managing Director, now senator Bill Twehway, were sanctioned by the US government.

The rest are Senators Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County and Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County. 

These sanctioned officials, according to  Catherine Rodriguez, Chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy, “They and their families can no longer utilize the U.S. banking system, and they and their families will have a lifetime ban on visiting the United States.”

Although the sanctions have been widely celebrated by ordinary Librarians, many are worried that if these sanctions apply to other countries outside the United States. 

But Catherine Rodriguez, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy declined to speak on other countries. “I can only speak about the effectiveness of the sanctions to the United States. If those Liberians travel to other countries, those are decisions that would be made by other international partners about what they want to do. We can only discuss our sanctions and how they pertain to the United States.” 

“Most Liberians have some connections to the United States, whether it’s an aunt, whether it's a godson. Every Liberian I have met in my limited time here has some connections to the United States.” 

The sanctions, which are the first of its kind since it was passed by U.S. Congress in 2012 on Liberian public officials, are intended to punish officials involved in corruption and human rights abuse. These officials were not just sanctioned, their spouses and minor kids were also sanctioned. 

“As for the sanctions to travel to the United States, we do sanctions on the family members because they benefit from corruption. So that’s why they are sanctioned as well,” Rodriguez added. 

Can the Sanctions be overturned?

Since releasing their names, these officials have since denied that they have been engaged in these alleged acts. Some have termed it as a witch hunt against them, while others have threatened to take legal action against the US government. 

“This is not a judicial process,” said Rodriguez. “So there is no going to court.”