“Let this be a warning to those who would trample on the fundamental rights of their countrymen—judicial robes cannot protect you,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday warned that Nigerian judges and others worldwide could face sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act for human rights abuses.
This comes after the U.S. sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for allegedly abusing his authority.
“@POTUS and @USTreasury have sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for serious human rights abuses,” Rubio posted on social media.
“Let this be a warning to those who would trample on the fundamental rights of their countrymen—judicial robes cannot protect you,” he added.
The U.S. Department of State said Moraes engaged in “arbitrary detention,” “violations of freedom of expression,” and issued secret orders to online platforms to silence political critics.
Moraes was designated under Executive Order 13818, which enforces the Global Magnitsky Act—created to punish foreign individuals involved in corruption or human rights abuses.
Rubio’s comments have sparked diplomatic concern in regions with fragile judicial independence.