Brussels, 17/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Parliament (EP) expressed its concern at the deterioration in the human rights situation and the rule of law in Russia and called for EU-Russia human rights consultations to be stepped up and made more effective. In a joint resolution, backed by the five main political groups (EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and ECR) and passed by a wide majority in Strasbourg on 17 February, the EP expresses “concern over the considerable number of reported violations of human rights in Russia, including the right of peaceful assembly”. MEPs note that Russia, as a member of the Council of Europe, has undertaken to fully respect European standards in democracy, fundamental and human rights and the rule of law. Full respect for human rights and the rule of law would improve Russia's image and credibility in the world, and in particular with regard to its relations with the European Union, Parliament says. The EU should insist more that the situation has to improve and calls for the human rights consultations (Ed: these take place regularly, generally once every six months) to be “stepped up and made more effective and results-oriented”, MEPs say. The EP would like that, in future, Russian foreign, justice and home affairs ministers attend these meetings. Furthermore, the EP should be fully involved at all levels of this dialogue, MEPs say. The EP calls on the Council and Commission to offer Russia practical assistance and expertise to help it enhance the independence of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies and to improve the ability of the judicial system to “withstand political and economic pressure”. The EP has serious doubts over the independence of the Russian judiciary. It says it is concerned by “reports of politically motivated trials, unfair procedures and failures to investigate serious crimes such as killings, harassment and other acts of violence” and urges the Russian judicial and law enforcement authorities to “carry out their duties in an effective, impartial and independent manner”. In particular, MEPs express “serious concern” at the verdict in the recent second trial and conviction of Michail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. They urge the ombudsman of the Russian Federation to commission a review of the charges and ongoing proceedings against the 2009 laureate of the EP Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, Oleg Orlov. Despite all these criticisms, the EP reaffirms its belief that Russia remains an important partner for the EU. Current negotiations on a new binding and comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement should be stepped up and the new agreement should also include the issues of democracy, the rule of law and human and fundamental rights, MEPs state. (H.B./transl.rt)