Approved by the United States in 2016, Global Magnitsky law authorizes the US government to apply sanctions against authorities, entrepreneurs and companies involved in severe corruption or human rights violations, regardless of where these crimes have occurred. Legislation is not limited to US territory: it can reach citizens of any nationality.
In addition to the US, countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, members of the European Union and Australia also use similar legislation based on the same principle: to be internationally responsible who commits serious human rights crimes or public assets.
In 2024, the US sanctioned 70 people and entities based on the law, raising the total targets to more than 740 since the beginning of the program. In the second half of the year alone, 48 new names were included, 28 by corruption cases and 20 for abuses against human rights. By the end of 2024, the US government accounted for 69 designations in total, 33 considered “primary” sanctions, ie directly related to those responsible.
What does Global Magnitsky law allow?
Based on this legislation, the United States can adopt measures such as:
- Freezing goods and assets located in the US;
- Blocking of financial transactions with US institutions;
- Prohibition of entry in the country for sanctioned individuals.
These sanctions can reach not only direct authors, but also companies linked to them and even their families as a way to expand the scope of punishments.
Who can be punished by law?
Global magnitsky law can be applied to individuals or legal entities in any country, provided they are involved in:
- Large -scale corruption (such as diversion of public money or contractual fraud);
- Torture and extrajudicial executions;
- Human trafficking;
- Arbitrary arrests;
- Political persecution and violent repression.
Sanctions are formalized by the US Treasury Department, with the support of the State Department, which evaluate the cases and decide which names should be included in the official lists.
