Brussels, 21/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 17 May - during the 17th round of EU-Russia human rights consultations - the European Union reiterated its growing concerns about human rights developments in Russia. The two parties discussed the civil society situation in Russia - particularly, the new restrictive legislation against non-governmental organisations including the law on “foreign agents” and ongoing court cases (see EUROPE 10838). While the EU will continue to follow the situation, Russia stressed its openness to bring further clarification on this law and to pursue the dialogue in more depth on the basis of specific EU observations with the Russian ministry of justice.
The EU also called on Moscow to refrain from adopting federal legislation on “homosexual propaganda”. The EU asked Russia to ensure that its defence lawyers are able to work freely - particularly in North Caucasus. The EU also highlighted several ongoing judicial processes, including the posthumous prosecution of Sergei Magnitsky (see EUROPE 10811), the trial of the Russian opposition Alexei Navalny (see EUROPE 10668) and the situation of people accused of being linked to the riots in Bolotnaya Square in May 2012.
For its part, Russia stressed its concerns about the situation of European Union non-nationals and about legislation governing the use of minority languages in the education systems (see EUROPE 10747).
The two parties highlighted that practical cooperation between them could be sought on issues of fighting discrimination, while a deepening of cooperation at bilateral or multilateral levels on issues such as gender (violence against women and children) or the fight against corruption, were considered promising.
The next consultations are due to take place in the autumn. The EU would like them to take place in Russia, for the first time. (CG/transl.fl)