Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade - Resolution on the case of Mr Sergei Magnitsky

- that Mr. Sergei Magnitsky died in prison having been held for 358 days at the Butyrka detention centre in Moscow;

- that the independent inquiry by the Russian Human Rights Council found that he had died as a result of beatings by prison guards;

- the dropping of charges of causing death by negligence against two doctors at the prison by refusing Mr. Magnitsky treatment for gall bladder disease and pancreatitis;

- the work and recommendations of our European Parliament colleagues, Ms. Kristiina Ojuland MEP, Rapporteur for the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Magnitsky case, and Ms. Barbara Lochbihler MEP, Chair of the Sub-committee on Human Rights;

- the European Parliament recommendation of 23 October 2012 to the Council;

- that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, speaking at this Committee on 17 April, 2013, said as follows: “However, I can tell members that I did raise the case of Sergei Magnitsky at the Foreign Affairs Council and have argued that this is an issue that should remain on the agenda at the highest political level in the European Union’s relationship with Russia, including the summit with Russia, which takes place during every Presidency.  The decision last month by the investigative committee of the Russian Federation to close the criminal investigation into his death is highly regrettable.  I share the strongly-worded concerns which were expressed by Catherine Ashton on this issue and I call on the Russian authorities to reopen the investigation.”;

- and calls on the Government to –

- convey to the Russian authorities this Committee’s concern and request for reassurances that they will act in compliance with international human rights legislation on this case; and

- use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to highlight its concern and that of the international community at the issues surrounding Mr. Magnitsky's death, to reiterate its resolve to ensure a full and final report into the circumstances of the case and to ensure that those found responsible be held to account in accordance with international law.

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership

Seán Crowe, TD
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Olivia Mitchell, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Gerald Nash, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Brendan Smith, TD

Senators

Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.