Brussels, 10/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Underlining their concern once again about human rights in Russia - particularly LGBT rights and NGO registration - MEPs called on the EU, during a debate on 10 October, to do more to defend these rights - while they welcomed the European Commission's statement.
“We have to be firmer and not just speak. I don't think dialogue means a great deal to Putin (…) We should look at suspending Russia from the Council of Europe”, said Sophie in't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands) who was the most incisive during the debate. In her view, the EU must give NGOs a message of support, which could also be “in the form of financial support”. “It is time to stop believing Russia is our friend (…) There can no longer be free trade or visas without civil rights or more civic activities”, added Marije Cornelissen (Greens/EFA, Netherlands).
Hailing the action of the European Commission, Krzyzstof Lisek (EPP, Poland), asked for an appeal to be launched to European governments to put pressure on Russia. “It is not only the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton who has to take action but it's every prime minister and foreign affairs minister who, when in contact with Russia, should say that we can't accept this kind of legislation”, he stated. In the view of Cornelia Ernst (GUE, Germany), the Council does not defend these rights enough and is not doing its duty.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström recalled that the Commission is raising this issue with Russia, and is calling for the laws curbing freedom to be amended and for freedom of expression to be improved. “We hope that the dialogue will be constructive”, she added (our translation throughout). EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis will visit Russia at the end of October, Malmström announced. She also said that the EU has asked the United Nations to follow what is happening in Russia. (CG/transl.fl)