U.S. House okays Russia trade bill, slams human rights violations

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Friday, Nov 16 to "name and shame" Russian human rights violators as part of a broader bill to drop Cold War-era trade restrictions, brushing off warnings from Moscow that the move would damage relations, Reuters reported.

The House voted 365-43 to approve the legislation, which takes a jab at the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin while ensuring U.S. companies get the full benefits of Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization on August 22.

The bill, which still needs Senate approval, would establish "permanent normal trade relations," or PNTR, with Russia while directing President Barack Obama to publish the names of Russians believed involved in the abuse and death of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian anti-corruption lawyer who died in 2009 in a Russian jail.

It also would require the Obama administration to deny visas and freeze the assets of any individual on the list, as well as other human rights violators in Russia on an ongoing basis.

Russia has vowed a "tough" response to the legislation, which it views an intrusion into its affairs.