You're reading: Russia warns of tough response to US human rights bill

MOSCOW - Russia warned on Thursday that the U.S. Congress will damage relations with Moscow if it passes legislation designed to punish Russian officials for human rights violations, and promised a firm response.

U.S. lawmakers may vote on Friday on a measure directing the
government to deny visas to Russian officials involved in the
detention, abuse or death of a lawyer who died in a Moscow jail
in 2009 and freeze any assets they might have in U.S. banks.

“Such a step will unavoidably have a negative effect of the
whole range of Russian-U.S. relations … We will have to react,
and react toughly, depending on the final version of this
unfriendly, provocative act,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman
Alexander Lukashevich said.