Strasbourg, 15/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is deeply concerned that the law is being used as a political instrument in Russia and, on 15 January, urged the Russian judicial and law-enforcement authorities to carry out their duties “in an impartial and independent manner, free of political interference”.
With the adoption of a joint resolution, MEPS state their view that the conviction of “prominent lawyer, anti-corruption campaigner and social activist” Alexey Navalny, and his brother Oleg (see EUROPE 12224) was “based on unsubstantiated charges”. They strongly regret that the prosecution seems to be politically motivated. Parliament calls on the authorities to ensure that the judicial proceedings in the Navalny cases, and all the other investigations and trials against opposition activists, meet the internationally accepted standards.
MEPs also urge the EU and its member states to send a strong common message on the role of human rights in the EU-Russia relationship and the need to end the crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Russia and to increase financial assistance to Russian civil society. They call on the EU high representative to come up, “as a matter of urgency”, with a comprehensive strategy towards Russia, “aimed at maintaining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of European states, and supporting, at the same time, the strengthening of democratic principles, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Russia”. (CG)