Brussels, 12/03/2015 (Agence Europe) -On Thursday 12 March, the European Parliament called for an “independent international investigation” into the murder of Boris Nemtsov, a “figurehead of the opposition” in Russia (see EUROPE 11265).
In their adoption of a resolution common to all the principal political groups, the MEPs argue that the instruments provided for in the framework of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the United Nations should guarantee a “fair and impartial investigation”. The MEPs describe the murder as the “most significant political murder in Russia's recent history”. The Parliament deplores the fact that a number of members of the European Parliament, including Sandra Kalniete, and diplomats wishing to attend Nemtsov's funeral have been denied entry to Russia (see EUROPE 11266).
“Recent events show that the path Russia is taking is not that of a functioning democracy, which is characterised by respect for the opposition, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary”, the MEPs lament. The Parliament calls on the Russian authorities to stop “all pressure, repressive acts and intimidation, both political and judicial”, against opposition figures, representatives of civil society and the independent media, to allow them to carry out their activities freely. The MEPs call on the authorities of the Russian Federation to put an end to the “shameful war” of propaganda and information. They argue that the propaganda of the Russian authorities makes Russia a “state marked by repression, hate speech and fear”.
The Parliament also calls on the Russian authorities immediately to free all political prisoners, including the Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko and the Estonian police officer Eston Kohver.
The MEPs also urge the Council to develop a unified policy towards Russia, carrying a strong joint message on the role of human rights in the relationship between the EU and Russia and on the need to put an end to all repression of the freedom of expression, assembly and association in Russia. The MEPs believe that the Council, the Commission and the member states should take account, when drafting their future policy towards Russia, “of the fact that the political climate created by the Russian authorities is conducive to such murder, violence and pressure”. The EU should devise reinforced programmes to support the civil society in Russia and Crimea and step up its financial aid to Russian civil society, they add. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)