From Jackson-Vanik to Magnitsky: Continuing a Tradition of Ineffective Human Rights Bolt-ons to Trade Bills, 7(2) Human Rights & International Legal Discourse 237-261 (2013).

The Magnitksy Act was enacted by the United States Congress in return for its acceptance of the bilateral agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation opening the way for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation. The basis for the Act is the concern for violations of human rights and the rule of law as well as corruption in the Russian Federation. the Act refers directly to specific cases that seem to have been chosen for their emblematic value. This article criticises the selective concern for some human rights. It rejects the Russian claim that human rights are a domestic affair. The article briefly analyses the problems of information gathering associated with the implementation of the Act. In conclusion, this article argues that the linkage between the trade and human rights aspects of this Act is
unhelpful.

Publication year:2013

Keywords:human rights conditionalities, Jackson-Vanik, Magnitsky, Russian Federation, trade law, trade sanctions, WTO accession