Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Comité permanent des affaires étrangères et du développement international

For immediate release

Committee to conduct comprehensive review of the Special Economic Measures Act and the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

Ottawa, June 08, 2016 -

In fall 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development will conduct the required statutory parliamentary review of the Special Economic Measures Act and the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

This study will be the first parliamentary review of the Special Economic Measures Act since it was enacted in 1992.

In cases where the United Nations Security Council has not taken action, the Special Economic Measures Act allows Canada to impose sanctions against a foreign state in response to a decision by an international organization of which Canada is a member, or where a grave breach of international peace and security has occurred, and has resulted in a serious international crisis.

When a country is experiencing internal turmoil or an uncertain political situation, the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act allows Canada to address the misappropriation or inappropriate acquisition of property by a state’s government officials or former officials.

As part of its review, the Committee will consider whether any legislative changes to the Special Economic Measures Act may be needed to address gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. In that regard, the study will incorporate the testimony the Committee received on 10 March 2016 from William Browder, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Zhanna Nemtsova.

Organizations and individuals who wish to provide their views and comments to the Committee are invited to submit a written brief through the Clerk of the Committee. The deadline for written submissions is 30 September 2016.