Expand use of Global Magnitsky sanctions (freezing assets and banning visas of individual human rights violators) and pursue international arms embargoes on regimes waging war on their people.
Make repression more expensive by targeting individual abusers and the weapons and tools they rely on. Use Global Magnitsky sanctions and coalition-backed embargo pushes (including Myanmar-focused efforts when UN action stalls) to freeze assets, restrict visas, and cut off supplies. Recent UN attention and congressional action create openings to press for tougher, more consistent restrictions.
Why this works
- Hitting perpetrators’ pocketbooks and military supplies raises the cost of repression.
- Sanctions have helped pressure countries (e.g.
- apartheid South Africa) historically.
- Embargoes on weapons (like jet fuel to Myanmar) could curtail the tools used for atrocities.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
AdvocacyCoalition driving civil rights progress
Mechanism
About LobbyingHow The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights uses funding
- Define a specific objective (Global Magnitsky action, embargo language, or export controls) tied to a decision window.
- Build the case with briefs and coalition alignment that support the objective.
- Engage lawmakers and staff with meetings and testimony at key moments.
- Track amendments, timing, and international coordination; adjust as regimes seek workarounds.
- Close the loop with public updates on adopted measures and enforcement.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Target list + objective set
0–30 daysPriority individuals or regimes and the specific policy mechanism are documented.
- 2
Coalition briefs + outreach plan ready
1–2 monthsBriefing materials and partner alignment are ready for lawmakers and international forums.
- 3
Decision window engaged
2–4 monthsMeetings, testimony, and coordinated advocacy land ahead of a key UN or legislative window.
- 4
Adoption + enforcement tracked
OngoingUpdates track adopted measures, enforcement signals, and next steps.