Russia: Human rights groups urge Jackson-Vanik repeal; Post-election, dissent still simmers

AFPC Russia Reform Monitor ^ | 4/5/2012 | Ilan Berman and Amanda Pitrof, eds.

[bruinbirdman]

Leaders of Russia’s political opposition groups have banded together to urge Congress to end Cold War-era trade restrictions against Russia. The restrictions, known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, were originally crafted to pressure the Soviet Union to allow the emigration of Russian Jews, and have remained in force since. But if left in place when Russia officially joins the World Trade Organization, the law could lead to higher tariffs on American companies operating in Russia.

There are also pragmatic reasons to repeal Jackson-Vanik. According to the New York Times, Russia's opposition leaders have argued that leaving the amendment in place would only help current Prime Minister and President-elect Vladimir Putin. "It helps him to depict the United States as hostile to Russia," they said in a written statement, "using outdated cold war tools to undermine Russia's international competitiveness." However, the law's removal has been hampered by efforts from members of Congress to tie normalized trade relations with legislation aimed at Russian officials responsible for the negligent death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky back in 2009.

Moscow has insisted that it will not cease military cooperation with Syria despite widespread international pressure on the Assad regime. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov has confirmed that Russia will complete its existing contracts with Syria, including weapons sales, reports the Associated Press. Critics have accused the Kremlin of sending weapons, along with special forces personnel to train Syrian forces in the use of Russian weapons, but Antonov insisted that "Russian-Syrian military cooperation is perfectly legitimate...when we supply weapons, we have to provide training. There are no [Russian] special forces with rifles and grenade launchers running around."

With the international spotlight moving away from Russia following the country's presidential election, authorities are beginning to crack down on political dissidents, reports the Washington Post. Punk bands, environmental activists, and bloggers have all seen the effects of the crackdown, being harassed, pulled in for questioning, and even jailed for their efforts. In response, opposition activists are beginning to build new political alliances,while opposition members who won local positions in the government are attempting to use their new parliamentary immunity to further their causes. “Because the election has passed and Putin was elected, they think now they can do anything they want,” said one activist elected to a seat on the Lefortovo district council. “Now people are angry. And people are learning how to organize themselves.”

Prominent opposition members Garry Kasparov and Boris Nemtsov have added their voices to opposition calls for a repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. In an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, the two suggested that the outdated restrictions should be replaced with the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2011, which would level visa and asset sanctions against Russian officials "culpable of criminal and human rights abuses." "Such legislation is not anti-Russian," they quoted prominent blogger Alexei Navalny explaining. "In fact i believe it is pro-Russian. It helps defend us from the criminals who kill our citizens, steal our money, and hide it abroad." "We do not ask for foreign intervention," Kasparov and Nemtsov continued. "We do, however, ask that the U.S. and other nations of the Free World cease to provide democratic credentials to Mr. Putin. This is why symbols matter, and why Jackson-Vanik still matters...Replacing Jackson-Vanik with it [the Magnitsky Act] would promote better relations between the people of the U.S. and Russia while refusing to provide aid and comfort to a tyrant and his regime at this critical moment in history."

[Bulgaricus1]

Keep it! The corrupt facists like Pukin’ & his KGB goons are JUST as evil as Stalin, Khruschev & Brezhnev. Tell ‘em to take a hike!

[Navy Patriot]

I got a better idea, deliver the American Foreign Policy Council and George Soros to Putin, gift wrapped.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks bruinbirdman.

Leaders of Russia's political opposition groups have banded together to urge Congress to end Cold War-era trade restrictions against Russia. The restrictions, known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, were originally crafted to pressure the Soviet Union to allow the emigration of Russian Jews, and have remained in force since. But if left in place when Russia officially joins the World Trade Organization, the law could lead to higher tariffs on American companies operating in Russia.

And that would have what kind of impact on Anonymous and/or George Soros?

[cunning_fish]

Well, if you want sanctions you has to invent another amendment. Jackson-Vanik is as legitimate as if Japan could sanction US imports over alleged slavery in America.