Ottawa - The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade today heard testimony from three high-profile advocates for democracy in Russia. William Browder, Head of the International Justice Campaign for Sergei Magnitsky and Author of Red Notice, testified about the case of his former colleague, Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in November 2009 in a Russian prison after being denied medical care; he was awaiting trial for tax fraud. Mr. Browder was joined by Zhanna Nemtsova, daughter of the late Boris Nemtsov, a leading figure in Russia’s opposition, who was killed in Moscow in February 2015, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, Coordinator of Open Russia and Deputy Leader of People's Freedom Party, who received medical attention in May 2015 in response to an unconfirmed poisoning attempt against him.

In their testimony, the human rights advocates emphasised the lack of progress in investigating the three cases and in achieving justice.

"The testimonies we heard today give credence to reports of increased human rights and rule of law concerns coming out of Russia," remarked Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Chair of the committee. "It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of individuals like Mr. Browder, Ms. Nemtsova and Mr. Kara-Murza that we are able to access credible information from within Russia and learn about the gravity of the situation. I commend our witnesses for their tireless advocacy, courage and commitment to furthering the principles of democracy, human rights protection and the rule of law in Russia.”

“When I first read Mr. Browder’s book, I found his account of the incidents described to be very disturbing. His appearance here today, and that of the other witnesses, was a great opportunity to hear more about the lack of a fair justice system in Russia. I am especially concerned that those officials involved in the persecution of these individuals have not been brought to justice,” Senator Percy Downe, Deputy Chair of the committee, noted.

Today’s hearing follows on the motion adopted by the Senate in May 2015. This motion called upon the Government of Canada to take action against foreign nationals implicated in Sergei Magnitsky’s death as well as in uninvestigated human rights violations in a foreign country.

In light of this testimony, the committee agreed to continue monitoring developments regarding the state of democracy in Russia. It also agreed to consider further action on these issues in the Senate at the earliest opportunity.

More information on current work of the committee can be found on the parliamentary website.

The Senate of Canada is on Twitter: @SenateCA, follow the committee using the hashtag #AEFA.

For more information, please contact:

Marcy Galipeau
Committees Liaison Officer, Communications
Senate of Canada
613-944-4082
marcy.galipeau@sen.parl.gc.ca