Magnitsky widow and son react to the passing of Magnitsky Act in Canada

they tell you let me start with you what is your reaction to this law being passed in Canada just cuz that's what she was possible I would like to thank everybody who took part in creation of this law we are very happy that it bears the name of Sergey Magnitsky and it will be always in the memories of the people I also would like to highlight that this law has a global character and it's aimed into fighting corruption in all countries Nikita why was it important to you to come here I'm very proud of what my father did and I respect him quite a lot for his actions and the fact that he stood up to corruption and injustice --is and I think it's a good way for me to honor his memory to be present here today what do you remember of him because you were so young when he died yeah I was fairly young so I guess I didn't get to know him as much as I would like to know and I remember that he was first and who always kind of followed a certain set of ideals that he had he would always sort of stand up for he thinks yeah we would sometimes argue and even at that age yeah a bit but you know it wasn't like a debate it was more of a kind of friendly discussion I guess no tell you you mentioned that this is it's a global effort to deal with human rights abuses but initially even this government was reluctant to pass the act there was concern at some levels that there was another way of dealing with Russia with human rights concerns that they didn't want to agitate a lot of Mir Putin what would you say to countries that are frightened about passing a Magnitsky Act because of that yeah well I think I already mentioned that it's a global law and I think the priority tasks of any government is to fight corruption the world and it's fighting the corruption and to defend people's rights I think we will be able to fight this problem when all the countries will unite in this Nikita this this law in Canada and elsewhere doesn't just bear your father's name it bears your name when you hear it what does it sound like to you what does it mean to you I think just makes me really proud of my father and I have to highlight the fact that they're his deeds and people should remember him for what he did and he should be the primary association with this law but also the law should be associated with all the people in the world who world who are facing corruption facing human rights violations I think that's the most important thing because that's kind of what has the most effect on the modern world Natalia you you left Russia because the Russian government didn't seem to be done with your family no police meters after the deaths of Sergey we wanted the appropriate investigation a fair investigation into the death of Sergei Magnitsky manufacturer not evaluated on the legal grounds and we decided to leave Russia whenever people talk about the Magnitsky Act they invariably talk about how your father died and all of the things that led up to it and I wonder if at the same time that you're proud the fact that this Act has been passed and what it talks about and what it says about your father's actions if it isn't also difficult for you to keep hearing the details of his death honestly just the his memory my memories of him and my pride for him it honestly overwhelms those kinds of feelings I only remember him for the best things that you've done and I think I've come to cope with a kind of grief the reality of it yeah I want to ask your mom I so I just asked Nikita to talk about how difficult it is to to constantly hear about the details of his father your husband's death as a mom how do you manage that how do you manage both raising your son keeping him safe keeping him secure and happy with knowing that this is always a presence in your lives at the pond yet anonymity supporting Tarullo springy nights it's understandable that it's it is still very hard for us to remember the details and the whole tragedy Roddy's I would like to say that Nikita is the one who supports me the most and he's a grown-up young man and he is assisting me in keeping myself together and not to break down entirely Nikita I mean at 12 years old you're in Washington translating for your mama she's talking to John McCain who was one of the leading voices and getting this Act passed in the United States at 16 you're sitting here talking to me and the rest of Canadians about what has to be on some level a very difficult topic tell me what it's like for you to try to manage that with just being a 16 year old you know I never really thought of that and it's kind of an interesting question because I think everyone faces a lot of difficulty in their lives regardless of where they from who they are aaron has their own burdens and difficulties but I feel like if I you know wasn't able to do this I wouldn't really be able to be with myself because I have to do something for my father after he's done so much for all of us quite apart from the person that we see sitting in front of me now you know the other part of your life is that you're an artist and you can express yourself through art and I understand that's part of what you want to do when you meet with the Prime Minister can you show us what you've done sure and so what is important about this to share with him I think this is just kind of show of gratitude for him and honestly I just wanted to bring something that would that he could appreciate as an artwork and yeah and important to you to share that and that sounds it's a personal expression of you yeah it was one of the first pieces that I did when I just started learning so it kind of holds a bit of importance to me what I'm really happy that he can have it my last question for you Natalia is do you hope that there comes a time when talking about Sergei is something that exists simply within your family that it doesn't need to be a public conversation do you look forward to that I never thought about this question it just happens it it happens and we always remember Sergey I always think how would Sergey do without certain situations and I try to do the way he would do until they said the way he would do is this the white action thank you so much so much

Channel: CBC News: The National

Views: 11,962

Rating: 4.4101381 out of 5

Keywords: Sergei Magnitsky, Natasha Magnitsky, Nikita Magnitsky, widow, son, Magnitsky act, tax lawyer, Russian prison, death, human rights, violations, corruption, legislation, Bill Browder, Vladimir Putin, Diana Swain, National, CBC

Id: iJ2OyWp6dEQ

Length: 8min 3sec (483 seconds)

Published: Wed Nov 01 2017