Designating a Pro-Russian, Ukrainian Separatist Militia as a Terrorist Organization (H.R. 56)

This bill would direct the President to levy all available sanctions on any person under U.S. jurisdiction who knowingly provides material support or resources to the Donbass People’s Militia or its affiliates.

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security would be prohibited from issuing a visa to, or approving entry into the U.S. of any member or representative of the Donbass People’s Militia or its associated groups.

Any U.S. financial institution that knowingly controls funds connected to the Donbass People’s Militia or its affiliates would be directed to retain possession the money and report it the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury.

In this legislation, Congress points out that the Donbass People’s Militia are a pro-Russian separatist group that are in armed combat against the Ukrainian government and its military. It also mentions the group’s linkage to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, among other accusations of human rights abuses.

In August 2014 nearly identical legislation was introduced in the House, but it failed to advance out of committee and did not receive a vote before the end of the 113th Congress.

Of Note:

The European Union is considering designating the pro-Russian separatists as terrorists, which would make it easier to freeze the assets supporting them.

18 U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Obama in July 2014 requesting that the pro-Russian separatist militias be designated as terrorist organizations. In March of the following year, the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on eight Ukrainian separatists and one pro-separatist Russian organization for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine — but stopped short of designating them as terrorists or a terrorist group.

Media:

Censor.net

Washington Times (Context)

Department of the Treasury (Context)