Government approves Foreign Minister’s proposal to refuse individuals on Magnitsky List entry to Estonia

The Government of the Republic of Estonia has decided at today’s meeting to approve Foreign Minister’s proposal to impose restrictive measures under the International Sanctions Act against individuals involved in grave human rights violations, including the death of Sergei Magnitsky. Under the proposal, 49 individuals on the so-called Magnitsky List will be denied entry to Estonia.

“The government’s unity and decisiveness on this matter demonstrates our desire to draw attention to the rising number of violations of international law committed in Russia,” Mikser said. “We can not fail to respond to violations of human rights,” he emphasised.

Mikser says that Estonia supports the enforcement of the rule of law by implementing such measures. “Estonia takes human rights very seriously and we would also like to send this message to our allies. All of us must respond to attempts to undermine the rules-based world order and thereby contribute to our security,” Mikser affirmed.

International organisations such as the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Parliament have called on states to impose sanctions in response to the case of Sergei Magnitsky and other similar cases. National measures, including entry bans, against human rights violators have been implemented in the US, Canada, the UK, Latvia and Lithuania.

Additional information:

Sandra Kamilova
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication Department
56675362
[email protected]