Russian Parliament Bans Adoptions By Americans
In retaliation to Obama’s “Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act,” imposing sanctions on Russian officials accused of human rights violations, Russia is planning to ban the adoption of Russians by Americans.
The SMR Law is named after Sergei Magnitsky, an anti-corruption attorney, who exposed Russian officials who were accused of stealing $250 million in tax funds. Magnitsky died while incarcerated in 2009 because he was denied medical attention. Those named under the ban will not be allowed to travel to the US or hold assets in the States.
Russia’s reaction:
“That has really upset the Russians, and in retaliation they’re saying they’re going to suspend the regime of adoptions because they think certain human rights violations are occurring on this site. They also point to Guantanamo and the treatment of prisoners during the so-called ‘War On Terror’ to say ‘Don’t lecture us about human rights, look what’s happening in your own country.’”
The chairman of the Duma’s foreign relations committee, Alexei Pushkov, was quoted by The Associated Press:
“Cases of the death of our children in the United States continue, and cases of not-guilty verdicts; we decided to take this tough decision to deprive Americans of the right to adopt Russian children.”
The final decision is now in Putin’s hands.
Paul Hudson | Elite.
