83 FR 4950 - Global Magntisky Human Rights Accountability Act Annual Report
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 23 (February 2, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 23 (February 2, 2018)
| Page Range | 4950-4953 | |
| FR Document | 2018-02070 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 4950-4953] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-02070] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 10258] Global Magntisky Human Rights Accountability Act Annual Report AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice contains the text of the report, submitted by the President required by the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, as submitted by the Secretary of State. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin A. Kraut, Email: Krautb@state gov, Phone: (202) 647-9452. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 21, 2017, The Secretary of State approved the following report pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President under Executive Order 13818. Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Pub. L. 114-328, Subtitle F), was issued by the President on December 20, 2017 with an effective date of December 21, 2017. The text of the report follows: As required by Section 1264 of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114-328, Subtitle F) (the ``Act''), and in accordance with the executive order (E.O.) issued to implement the Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, submits this report to detail the Administration's implementation of the Act in 2017. Enacted on December 23, 2016, the Act authorizes the President to impose financial sanctions and visa restrictions on foreign persons responsible for acts of corruption or certain human rights violations. On December 20, 2017, the President issued an executive order to implement the Act. This executive order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to impose financial sanctions on persons determined to be directly or indirectly responsible for serious human rights abuse or acts of significant corruption. The executive order also authorizes the Secretary of State to impose visa restrictions on persons designated pursuant to the executive order. The United States is committed to protecting and promoting human rights and combatting corruption around the world. These efforts advance a world order that reflects U.S. values and increases the security of the United States, its allies, and its partners. The United States has led, and is uniquely positioned to continue leading, the international community in efforts to combat human rights abuse and corruption on the international stage. Sanctions issued pursuant to the Act, as implemented by the executive order, are consistent with these longstanding efforts. The United States will, under the executive order, pursue tangible and significant consequences for those who commit serious human rights abuse and engage in corruption. This tool will be used without hesitation to advance U.S. interests in cases involving human rights abusers or corrupt actors who are beyond the reach of other U.S. sanctions authorities, but whose designation could have an impact on these and other malign actors. Financial Sanctions Over the last year, various departments and agencies of the United States Government have actively collected information from multiple sources--including the Intelligence Community, U.S. missions around the world, non-governmental organizations, [[Page 4951]] and Congress--to support sanctions designations under the executive order. In the executive order, the President issued sanctions and visa restrictions on several persons around the world for human rights abuse or corruption. Simultaneously, the Department of the Treasury issued a number of designations targeting individuals and entities engaged in human rights abuse or corruption or supporting those sanctioned by the President. The Annex and designations issued this year pursuant to the executive order are detailed below: Yahya Jammeh: Yahya Jammeh (Jammeh), the former President of The Gambia who came to power in 1994 and stepped down in 2017, has a long history of engaging in serious human rights abuses and corruption. Jammeh created a terror and assassination squad called the Junglers that answered directly to him. Jammeh used the Junglers to threaten, terrorize, interrogate, and kill individuals whom Jammeh assessed to be threats. During Jammeh's tenure, he ordered the Junglers to kill a local religious leader, journalists, members of the political opposition, and former members of the government, among others. Jammeh used the Gambia's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as a repressive tool of the regime--torturing political opponents and journalists. Throughout his presidency, Jammeh routinely ordered the abuse and murder of those he suspected of undermining his authority. During his tenure, Jammeh used a number of corrupt schemes to plunder The Gambia's state coffers or otherwise siphon off state funds for his personal gain. Ongoing investigations continue to reveal Jammeh's large-scale theft from state coffers prior to his departure. According to The Gambia's Justice Ministry, Jammeh personally, or through others acting under his instructions, directed the unlawful withdrawal of at least $50 million of state funds. The Gambian Government has since taken action to freeze Jammeh's assets within The Gambia. Related to Jammeh's designation, the Department of the Treasury also designated Africada Airways, Kanilai Group International, Kanilai Worni Family Farms Ltd, Royal Africa Capital Holding Ltd, Africada Financial Service & Bureau de Change Ltd, Africada Micro-Finance Ltd, Africada Insurance Company, Kora Media Corporation Ltd, Atlantic Pelican Company Ltd, Palm Grove Africa Dev't Corp. Ltd, Patriot Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd, and Royal Africa Securities Brokerage Co Ltd. Roberto Jose Rivas Reyes: As President of Nicaragua's Supreme Electoral Council, drawing a reported government salary of $60,000 per year, Roberto Jose Rivas Reyes (Rivas) has been accused in the press of amassing sizeable personal wealth, including multiple properties, private jets, luxury vehicles, and a yacht. Rivas has been described by a Nicaraguan Comptroller General as ``above the law,'' with investigations into his corruption having been blocked by Nicaraguan government officials. He has also perpetrated electoral fraud undermining Nicaragua's electoral institutions. Dan Gertler: Dan Gertler (Gertler) is an international businessman and billionaire who amassed his fortune through hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Gertler has used his close friendship with DRC President Joseph Kabila to act as a middleman for mining asset sales in the DRC, requiring some multinational companies to go through Gertler to do business with the Congolese state. As a result, between 2010 and 2012 alone, the DRC reportedly lost over $1.36 billion in revenues from the underpricing of mining assets that were sold to offshore companies linked to Gertler. The failure of the DRC to publish the full details of one of the sales prompted the International Monetary Fund to halt loans to the DRC totaling $225 million. In 2013, Gertler sold to the DRC government for $150 million the rights to an oil block that Gertler purchased from the government for just $500,000, a loss of $149.5 million in potential revenue. Gertler has acted for or on behalf of Kabila, helping Kabila organize offshore leasing companies. Related to Gertler's designation, the Department of the Treasury designated Pieter Albert Deboutte, Fleurette Properties Limited, Fleurette Holdings Netherlands B.V., Gertler Family Foundation, Oil of DR Congo SPRL, Jarvis Congo SARL, International Diamond Industries, D.G.D. Investments Ltd., D.G.I. Israel Ltd, Proglan Capital Ltd, Emaxon Finance International Inc., Africa Horizons Investment Limited, Caprikat Limited, Foxwhelp Limited, Caprikat and Foxwhelp SARL, Lora Enterprises Limited, Zuppa Holdings Limited, Orama Properties Ltd, DGI Mining Ltd, and Rozaro Development Limited. Slobodan Tesic: Slobodan Tesic (Tesic) is among the biggest dealers of arms and munitions in the Balkans; he spent nearly a decade on the United Nations (UN) Travel Ban List for violating UN sanctions against arms exports to Liberia. In order to secure arms contracts with various countries, Tesic would directly or indirectly provide bribes and financial assistance to officials. Tesic also took potential clients on high-value vacations, paid for their children's education at western schools or universities, and used large bribes to secure contracts. Tesic owns or controls two Serbian companies, Partizan Tech and Technoglobal Systems DOO Beograd, and two Cyprus-based companies Grawit Limited and Charso Limited. Tesic negotiates the sale of weapons via Charso Limited and used Grawit Limited as a mechanism to fund politicians. Related to Tesic's designation, the Department of the Treasury designated Preduzece Za Trgovinu Na Veliko I Malo Partizan Tech DOO Beograd-Savski Venac (``Partizan Tech''), Charso Limited, Grawit Limited, and Technoglobal Systems DOO Beograd. Maung Maung Soe: In his former role as chief of the Burmese Army's Western command, Maung Maung Soe oversaw the military operation in Burma's Rakhine State responsible for widespread human rights abuse against Rohingya civilians in response to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. The Secretary of State determined on November 22 that the situation in northern Rakhine state in Burma constituted ethnic cleansing. The United States Government examined credible evidence of Maung Maung Soe's activities, including allegations against Burmese security forces of extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and arbitrary arrest as well as the widespread burning of villages. Security operations have led to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing across Burma's border with Bangladesh. In August 2017, witnesses reportedly described mass killings and arson attacks by the Burmese Army and Burmese Border Guard Police, both then under Maung Maung Soe's command in northern Rakhine State. In August 2017, soldiers described as being from the Western Command allegedly entered a village and reportedly separated the inhabitants by gender. According to witnesses, soldiers opened fire on the men and older boys and committed multiple acts of rape. Many of the women and younger children were reportedly also shot. Other witnesses described soldiers setting huts on fire with villagers inside. Benjamin Bol Mel: Benjamin Bol Mel (Bol Mel) is the President of ABMC Thai-South Sudan Construction Company Limited (ABMC), and has served as the Chairman of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. Bol Mel has also served [[Page 4952]] as South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's principal financial advisor, has been Kiir's private secretary, and was perceived within the government as being close to Kiir and the local business community. Several officials were linked to ABMC in spite of a constitutional prohibition on top government officials transacting commercial business or earning income from outside the government. Bol Mel oversees ABMC, which has been awarded contracts worth tens of millions of dollars by the Government of South Sudan. ABMC allegedly received preferential treatment from high-level officials, and the Government of South Sudan did not hold a competitive process for selecting ABMC to do roadwork on several roads in Juba and throughout South Sudan. Although this roadwork had been completed only a few years before, the government budgeted tens of millions of dollars more for maintenance of the same roads. Related to Bol Mel's designation, the Department of the Treasury designated ABMC Thai-South Sudan Construction Company Limited and Home and Away LTD. Mukhtar Hamid Shah: Mukhtar Hamid Shah (Shah) is a Pakistani surgeon specializing in kidney transplants who Pakistani police believe to be involved in kidnapping, wrongful confinement, and the removal of and trafficking in human organs. As an owner of the Kidney Centre in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Shah was involved in the kidnapping and detention of, and removal of kidneys from, Pakistani laborers. Shah was arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with an October 2016 incident in which 24 individuals from Punjab were found to be held against their will. Impoverished and illiterate Pakistanis from the countryside were reportedly lured to Rawalpindi with the promise of a job, and imprisoned for weeks. Doctors from the Kidney Centre were allegedly planning to steal their kidneys in order to sell them for a large profit. Police state that one of the accused arrested in connection with the events estimated that more than 400 people were imprisoned in the apartment at various times. Gulnara Karimova: Gulnara Karimova (Karimova), daughter of former Uzbekistan leader Islam Karimov, headed a powerful organized crime syndicate that leveraged state actors to expropriate businesses, monopolize markets, solicit bribes, and administer extortion rackets. In July 2017, the Uzbek Prosecutor General's Office charged Karimova with directly abetting the criminal activities of an organized crime group whose assets were worth over $1.3 billion. Karimova was also charged with hiding foreign currency through various means, including the receipt of payoffs in the accounts of offshore companies controlled by an organized criminal group, the illegal sale of radio frequencies and land parcels, siphoning off state funds through fraudulent dividend payments and stock sales, the illegal removal of cash, the non- collection of currency earnings, and the import of goods at inflated prices. Karimova was also found guilty of embezzlement of state funds, theft, tax evasion, and concealment of documents. Karimova laundered the proceeds of corruption back to her own accounts through a complex network of subsidiary companies and segregated portfolio funds. Karimova's targeting of successful businesses to maximize her gains and enrich herself in some cases destroyed Uzbek competitors. Due in part to Karimova's corrupt activities in the telecom sector alone, Uzbeks paid some of the highest rates in the world for cellular service. Angel Rondon Rijo: Angel Rondon Rijo (Rondon) is a politically connected businessman and lobbyist in the Dominican Republic who funneled money from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company, to Dominican officials, who in turn awarded Odebrecht projects to build highways, dams, and other projects. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Odebrecht is a Brazil-based global construction conglomerate that has pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to violate the anti- bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and agreed to a criminal fine of $4.5 billion. In 2017, Rondon was arrested by Dominican authorities and charged with corruption for the bribes paid by Odebrecht. Artem Chayka: Artem Chayka (Chayka) is the son of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation and has leveraged his father's position and ability to award his subordinates to unfairly win state- owned assets and contracts and put pressure on business competitors. In 2014, reconstruction of a highway began, and Chayka's competitor for supplying materials to the project suddenly fell under prosecutorial scrutiny. An anonymous complaint letter with a fake name initiated a government investigation against the competitor. Government inspectors did not produce any documents confirming the legality of the inspections, and did not inform subjects of the investigation of their rights. Traffic police were deployed along the route to the competitor, weight control stations were suddenly dispatched, and trees were dug up and left to block entrances. The competitor was forced to shut down, leaving Chayka in a position to non-competitively work on the highway project. Also in 2014, Chayka bid on a state-owned stone and gravel company, and was awarded the contract. His competitor contested the results and filed a lawsuit. Prosecutors thereafter raided his home. After Chayka's competitor withdrew the lawsuit, prosecutors dropped all charges. Gao Yan: Gao Yan (Gao) was the Beijing Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch director. During Gao's tenure, human rights activist Cao Shunli was detained at Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch where, in March 2014, Cao fell into a coma and died from organ failure, her body showing signs of emaciation and neglect. Cao had been arrested after attempting to board a flight to attend human rights training in Geneva, Switzerland. She was refused visitation by her lawyer, and was refused medical treatment while she suffered from tuberculosis. Sergey Kusiuk: Sergey Kusiuk (Kusiuk) was commander of an elite Ukrainian police unit, the Berkut. Ukraine's Special Investigations Department investigating crimes against activists identified Kusiuk as a leader of an attack on peaceful protesters on November 30, 2013, while in charge of 290 Berkut officers, many of whom took part in the beating of activists. Kusiuk has been named by the Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office as an individual who took part in the killings of activists on Kyiv's Independence Square in February 2014. Kusiuk ordered the destruction of documentation related to the events, and has fled Ukraine and is now in hiding in Moscow, Russia, where he was identified dispersing protesters as part of a Russian riot police unit in June 2017. Julio Antonio Juarez Ramirez: Julio Antonio Juarez Ramirez (Juarez) is a Guatemalan Congressman accused of ordering an attack in which two journalists were killed and another injured. Guatemalan prosecutors and a UN-sponsored commission investigating corruption in Guatemala allege that Juarez hired hit men to kill Prensa Libre correspondent Danilo Efrain Zapan Lopez, whose reporting had hurt Juarez's plan to run for reelection. Fellow journalist Federico Benjamin Salazar of Radio Nuevo Mundo was also killed in the attack and is considered a [[Page 4953]] collateral victim. Another journalist was wounded in the attack. Yankuba Badjie: Yankuba Badjie (Badjie) was appointed as the Director General of The Gambia's NIA in December 2013 and is alleged to have presided over abuses throughout his tenure. During Badjie's tenure as Director General, abuses were prevalent and routine within the NIA, consisting of physical trauma and other mistreatment. In April 2016, Badjie oversaw the detention and murder of Solo Sandeng, a member of the political opposition. In February 2017, Badjie was charged along with eight subordinates with Sandeng's murder. Prior to becoming Director General, Badjie served as the NIA Deputy Director General for Operations. Prior to becoming a member of the NIA's senior leadership, Badjie led a paramilitary group known as the Junglers to the NIA's headquarters to beat a prisoner for approximately three hours, leaving the prisoner unconscious and with broken hands. The following day, Badjie and the Junglers returned to beat the prisoner again, leaving him on the verge of death. Visa Restrictions Although no visa restrictions were imposed under the Act during the first year of its enactment, persons designated pursuant to the executive order may be subject to the visa restrictions articulated in Sec. 2. Sec. 2 contains restrictions pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8693, which establishes a mechanism for imposing visa restrictions on Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDNs) designated under the executive order and certain other executive orders, as well as individuals designated otherwise for travel bans in UN Security Council resolutions. In addition, the Department of State continues to take action, as appropriate, to implement authorities pursuant to which it can impose visa restrictions on those responsible for human rights violations and corruption, including Presidential Proclamations 7750 and 8697, and Section 7031(c) of the FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Department of State continues to make visa ineligibility determinations pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including Section 212(a)(3)(E) which makes individuals who have participated in acts of genocide or committed acts of torture, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights violations ineligible for visas. Termination of Sanctions No sanctions imposed under the Act were terminated. Efforts To Encourage Governments of Other Countries To Impose Sanctions Similar to Those Authorized by the Act The United States is committed to encouraging other countries to impose sanctions on a similar basis to those provided for by the Act. The Departments of State and Treasury have consulted closely with United Kingdom and Canadian government counterparts over the last year to encourage development and implementation of statutes similar to the Act by those governments. Both countries have enacted similar laws. The Departments of State and Treasury shared information with various foreign partners regarding sanctions and other actions that might be taken against persons pursuant to the Act, as implemented by the E.O., in parallel with other governments' relevant authorities. Manisha Singh, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2018-02070 Filed 2-1-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-AE-P
![4950 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2018 / Notices
Commission to designate a shorter time with respect to the proposed rule with an effective date of December 21,
if such action is consistent with the change that are filed with the 2017. The text of the report follows:
protection of investors and the public Commission, and all written As required by Section 1264 of the
interest. The Exchange has asked the communications relating to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights
Commission to waive the 30-day proposed rule change between the Accountability Act of 2016 (Pub. L.
operative delay so that the Exchange can Commission and any person, other than 114–328, Subtitle F) (the ‘‘Act’’), and in
reorganize its Rulebook as already those that may be withheld from the accordance with the executive order
approved by the Commission. The public in accordance with the (E.O.) issued to implement the Act, the
Commission believes that waiver of the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be Secretary of State, in consultation with
30-day operative delay is consistent available for website viewing and the Secretary of the Treasury, submits
with the protection of investors and the printing in the Commission’s Public this report to detail the Administration’s
public interest. Accordingly, the Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, implementation of the Act in 2017.
Commission hereby waives the Washington, DC 20549, on official Enacted on December 23, 2016, the
operative delay and designates the business days between the hours of Act authorizes the President to impose
proposed rule change as operative upon 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the financial sanctions and visa restrictions
filing.13 filing also will be available for on foreign persons responsible for acts
At any time within 60 days of the inspection and copying at the principal of corruption or certain human rights
filing of the proposed rule change, the office of the Exchange. All comments violations. On December 20, 2017, the
Commission summarily may received will be posted without change. President issued an executive order to
temporarily suspend such rule change if Persons submitting comments are implement the Act. This executive order
it appears to the Commission that such cautioned that we do not redact or edit authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury,
action is: (i) Necessary or appropriate in personal identifying information from in consultation with the Secretary of
the public interest; (ii) for the protection comment submissions. You should State and the Attorney General, to
of investors; or (iii) otherwise in submit only information that you wish impose financial sanctions on persons
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. to make available publicly. All determined to be directly or indirectly
If the Commission takes such action, the submissions should refer to File responsible for serious human rights
Commission shall institute proceedings Number SR–Phlx–2018–11 and should abuse or acts of significant corruption.
to determine whether the proposed rule be submitted on or before February 23, The executive order also authorizes the
should be approved or disapproved. 2018. Secretary of State to impose visa
IV. Solicitation of Comments For the Commission, by the Division of restrictions on persons designated
Interested persons are invited to Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated pursuant to the executive order.
submit written data, views, and authority.14 The United States is committed to
arguments concerning the foregoing, Eduardo A. Aleman, protecting and promoting human rights
including whether the proposed rule Assistant Secretary. and combatting corruption around the
change is consistent with the Act. [FR Doc. 2018–02129 Filed 2–1–18; 8:45 am] world. These efforts advance a world
Comments may be submitted by any of BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
order that reflects U.S. values and
the following methods: increases the security of the United
States, its allies, and its partners. The
Electronic Comments United States has led, and is uniquely
• Use the Commission’s internet DEPARTMENT OF STATE positioned to continue leading, the
comment form (http://www.sec.gov/ [Public Notice: 10258] international community in efforts to
rules/sro.shtml); or combat human rights abuse and
• Send an email to rule-comments@ Global Magntisky Human Rights corruption on the international stage.
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– Accountability Act Annual Report Sanctions issued pursuant to the Act, as
Phlx–2018–11 on the subject line. implemented by the executive order, are
AGENCY: Department of State. consistent with these longstanding
Paper Comments ACTION: Notice. efforts.
• Send paper comments in triplicate The United States will, under the
to Secretary, Securities and Exchange SUMMARY: This notice contains the text
executive order, pursue tangible and
Commission, 100 F Street NE, of the report, submitted by the President
significant consequences for those who
Washington, DC 20549–1090. required by the Global Magnitsky
commit serious human rights abuse and
All submissions should refer to File Human Rights Accountability Act, as
engage in corruption. This tool will be
Number SR–Phlx–2018–11. This file submitted by the Secretary of State.
used without hesitation to advance U.S.
number should be included on the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: interests in cases involving human
subject line if email is used. To help the Benjamin A. Kraut, Email: Krautb@state rights abusers or corrupt actors who are
Commission process and review your gov, Phone: (202) 647–9452. beyond the reach of other U.S. sanctions
comments more efficiently, please use SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On authorities, but whose designation
only one method. The Commission will December 21, 2017, The Secretary of could have an impact on these and other
post all comments on the Commission’s State approved the following report malign actors.
internet website (http://www.sec.gov/ pursuant to a delegation of authority
rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the from the President under Executive Financial Sanctions
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
submission, all subsequent Order 13818. Executive Order 13818, Over the last year, various
amendments, all written statements which implements the Global Magnitsky departments and agencies of the United
Human Rights Accountability Act (Pub. States Government have actively
13 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
L. 114–328, Subtitle F), was issued by collected information from multiple
operative delay, the Commission has also the President on December 20, 2017
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
sources—including the Intelligence
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See Community, U.S. missions around the
15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 14 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). world, non-governmental organizations,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2018 / Notices 4953
collateral victim. Another journalist was Termination of Sanctions town of Dallas, Georgia. Paulding
wounded in the attack. No sanctions imposed under the Act County and the Paulding County
Yankuba Badjie: Yankuba Badjie were terminated. Airport Authority (PCAA) own the
(Badjie) was appointed as the Director airport. PUJ opened in 2008 and is
Efforts To Encourage Governments of designated as a general aviation airport.
General of The Gambia’s NIA in Other Countries To Impose Sanctions An EA for the construction of PUJ was
December 2013 and is alleged to have Similar to Those Authorized by the Act completed in 2005.
presided over abuses throughout his In September 2013, the PCAA
tenure. During Badjie’s tenure as The United States is committed to
encouraging other countries to impose submitted an application to the FAA
Director General, abuses were prevalent requesting an Airport Operating
and routine within the NIA, consisting sanctions on a similar basis to those
provided for by the Act. The Certificate under title 14 Code of
of physical trauma and other Regulations, Part 139. A Part 139
Departments of State and Treasury have
mistreatment. In April 2016, Badjie Airport Operating Certificate allows the
consulted closely with United Kingdom
oversaw the detention and murder of airport to accommodate scheduled
and Canadian government counterparts
Solo Sandeng, a member of the political over the last year to encourage passenger-carrying operations,
opposition. In February 2017, Badjie development and implementation of commonly referred to as ‘‘commercial
was charged along with eight statutes similar to the Act by those service.’’ In November 2013, several
subordinates with Sandeng’s murder. governments. Both countries have Paulding County residents filed a
Prior to becoming Director General, enacted similar laws. The Departments Petition for Review in the United States
Badjie served as the NIA Deputy of State and Treasury shared Court of Appeals for the District of
Director General for Operations. Prior to information with various foreign Columbia of two categorical exclusions
becoming a member of the NIA’s senior partners regarding sanctions and other (CATEXs) issued by the Georgia
leadership, Badjie led a paramilitary actions that might be taken against Department of Transportation (GDOT),
group known as the Junglers to the persons pursuant to the Act, as as authorized by the FAA’s State Block
NIA’s headquarters to beat a prisoner for implemented by the E.O., in parallel Grant Program, for airfield improvement
approximately three hours, leaving the with other governments’ relevant projects. The petitioners argued that the
prisoner unconscious and with broken authorities. two projects were connected to the
hands. The following day, Badjie and proposed introduction of commercial
the Junglers returned to beat the Manisha Singh, service at PUJ. On December 23, 2013,
Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of the petitioners and the FAA entered into
prisoner again, leaving him on the verge
Economic and Business Affairs, Department a settlement agreement under which the
of death. of State. FAA agreed to prepare, at a minimum,
Visa Restrictions [FR Doc. 2018–02070 Filed 2–1–18; 8:45 am] an EA for the proposed Part 139 Airport
BILLING CODE 4710–AE–P Operating Certificate and all connected
Although no visa restrictions were actions. The FAA is currently in the
imposed under the Act during the first process of preparing that EA (current
year of its enactment, persons DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EA). While the settlement agreement
designated pursuant to the executive contemplated that the current EA would
order may be subject to the visa Federal Aviation Administration include all actions connected with the
restrictions articulated in Sec. 2. Sec. 2 proposed issuance of the Part 139
contains restrictions pursuant to Notice of Modification to Previously Airport Operating Certificate, the FAA
Presidential Proclamation 8693, which Published Notice of Intent To Prepare opted to include in the current EA all
establishes a mechanism for imposing an Environmental Assessment reasonably foreseeable airport
visa restrictions on Specially Designated improvement projects, whether or not
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDNs) connected with the proposed
Administration (FAA), DOT.
designated under the executive order introduction of commercial service.
ACTION: Notice. On April 21, 2014, the FAA published
and certain other executive orders, as
well as individuals designated SUMMARY: The FAA is publishing this a ‘‘Notice of Intent to Prepare an
otherwise for travel bans in UN Security notice to advise the public of a Environmental Assessment and Notice
modification to the Notice of Intent to of Opportunity for Public Comment’’ in
Council resolutions. In addition, the
Prepare an Environmental Assessment the Federal Register, 79 FR 22177. The
Department of State continues to take
(EA) and notice of opportunity for Notice of Intent identified all of the
action, as appropriate, to implement
public comment published in the projects intended to be reviewed in the
authorities pursuant to which it can EA, including ‘‘Install approximately
impose visa restrictions on those Federal Register on April 21, 2014, at
79 FR 22177. Specifically, FAA is 19,000 linear feet of wildlife fencing
responsible for human rights violations around the perimeter of the Airport’’.
and corruption, including Presidential withdrawing Wildlife Fence Project
from the scope of the EA, and the PUJ owners now desire to move forward
Proclamations 7750 and 8697, and with the Wildlife Fence Project more
Section 7031(c) of the FY2017 project will be subject instead to a
expeditiously than will be possible if
Consolidated Appropriations Act. The discrete environmental review.
the project remains within the scope of
Department of State continues to make FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the current EA. The primary need for
visa ineligibility determinations Parks Preston, Assistant Manager,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
expediting this project is enhance
pursuant to the Immigration and Atlanta Airports District Office, 1701 aviation safety to General Aviaion
Nationality Act (INA), including Section Columbia Avenue, Room 220, College operations at PUJ.
212(a)(3)(E) which makes individuals Park, Georgia 30337–2747, (404) 305– The Wildlife Fence has independent
who have participated in acts of 6799. utility, is not connected to the Part 139
genocide or committed acts of torture, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paulding Airport Operating Certificate, and is
extrajudicial killings, and other human Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ) is therefore not required by the National
rights violations ineligible for visas. located outside Atlanta, Georgia, in the Environmental Policy Act or the terms
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Document Created: 2018-02-03 14:27:39
Document Modified: 2018-02-03 14:27:39
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
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| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | Benjamin A. Kraut, Email: [email protected] gov, Phone: (202) 647-9452. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 4950 |
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