Meeks, McCaul Urge President Biden to Use Global Magnitsky Act in Response to Lokman Slim Murder

February 18, 2021

Washington, DC – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks and Lead Republican Michael McCaul sent a letter to President Biden urging him to consider using the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to sanction those responsible for the recent assassination of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim.

"This brazen assassination of an outspoken activist is likely intended to intimidate and silence others, particularly in light of Lebanon's tragic history of political assassinations without accountability for the perpetrators," the lawmakers wrote. "The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act could serve as an appropriate tool to hold those responsible accountable for the extrajudicial killing of Lokman Slim."

Dear President Biden,

On February 4, 2021, anti-Hezbollah activist Lokman Slim was murdered in Lebanon. Slim was a valued member of Lebanon's civil society, promoting democratic participation while also holding accountable all members of the Lebanese government including Hezbollah. This brazen assassination of an outspoken activist is likely intended to intimidate and silence others, particularly in light of Lebanon's tragic history of political assassinations without accountability for the perpetrators.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act could serve as an appropriate tool to hold those responsible accountable for the extrajudicial killing of Lokman Slim. We believe Slim's murder could constitute a sanctionable gross violation of internationally recognized human rights committed against a foreign person seeking to exercise and promote basic freedoms and the rule of law. We urge you to consider utilizing Magnitsky authorities in calibrating the appropriate response to Slim's murder. We similarly urge you to consider any relevant information, including with respect to officials in the Governments of Lebanon and Iran, if appropriate in calibrating such a response.

We look forward to working with you in our shared pursuit of respect for human rights and democratic institutions.