Magnitsky Sanctions

We use sanctions to prevent human rights abuses and corruption, through imposing a financial cost on the perpetrators. 

We do this by investigating abuses and submitting evidence to sanctions authorities; by using data-driven analysis to shape public policy; and by supporting NGOs across the world on using sanctions. 

Our impact 

So far we have: 

• Helped sanction Chinese officials for torture in Xinjiang 

• Investigated state hostage taking in Iran and filed a dossier of evidence with sanctions authorities 

• Published the first data analysis of UK human rights sanctions 

• Trained over 200 NGOs on using Magnitsky sanctions 

For examples of reporting on our work see The Telegraph on torture in Xinjiang, and The Guardian on state hostage taking in Iran. 

What are Magnitsky sanctions? 

Governments impose Magnitsky sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses and corruption across the world. The sanctions are named after Sergei Magnitsky, a tax adviser killed in a Russian prison after exposing fraud by Russian government officials. 

The sanctions freeze the perpetrators’ assets and stop them from travelling internationally. They are used by the UK, US, EU and Canada, together representing over one third of global GDP. In the UK, the sanctions stop the perpetrators from accessing London, the world’s second largest financial centre and the world’s largest luxury property market.  

Support for civil society

REDRESS provides support to NGOs, lawyers, human rights defenders, activists, journalists and academics around the world seeking to have perpetrators designated under the UK’s Magnitsky sanctions mechanisms. We provide training, guidance on case building and assistance on evidence submissions. We do this as part of a global coalition in partnership with Human Rights First. 

If you would like support in developing an evidence submission, please contact us at  [email protected]. 

Resources 

For more information see: 

• Briefings: Our UK Global Human Rights Sanctions Briefing, co-published with Human Rights First and our Factsheet on the UK’s Use of Coordinated Magnitsky Sanctions
• Reports: Multilateral Sanctions at Five Years; Evaluating Targeted Sanctions
• Submission template: Our template for NGO submissions to the UK Global Human Rights Sanctions regime 
• Analysis: Our data analysis of the first year of the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions regime; our fact sheet on the UK’s use of coordinated Magnitsky Sanctions.
• Podcast: RUSI’s interview on Suspicious Transaction Report where we discuss NGOs’ role in the sanctioning process 
• Guidance Note: Our guidance note on evidence collation for civil society sanctions submissions
• Quarterly updates: Our summary of the UK’s use of targeted sanctions as of 20 April 2023 and 1 September 2023.