The Leahy Laws and Their Relationship With Global Magnitsky Sanctions

The “Leahy Laws,” named after former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, refer to two statutory provisions that prohibit the U.S. government (USG) from providing assistance to any unit of a foreign country’s security forces if that unit is credibly implicated in a gross violation of human rights (GVHR). One provision applies to assistance furnished by the U.S. Department of State, while the other governs assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense.

This explainer is a resource about the Leahy Laws for those who may be more familiar with discretionary targeted sanctions like the Global Magnitsky program. While these programs differ significantly in their scope and application, both are essential elements of the legal framework that requires or encourages the USG to insist on accountability for human rights violations in its foreign policy. Both may apply when members of foreign security forces commit a GVHR. In such cases, civil society organizations can use the public reporting mechanisms established for each program to provide credible information and spur appropriate policy action.

Download the full fact sheet below.