The spokesperson of the European External Action Service urged Russia to protect the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly on Saturday 27 July.
"These fundamental rights are enshrined in the Russian constitution and we expect them to be protected" the spokesperson said in a statement issued after the arrest of more than a thousand peaceful demonstrators, including opposition figures and journalists, who were calling for free and democratic elections in the capital this 8 September 2019. The opposition denounces the rejection of independent candidates for these local elections.
"These detentions and the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, follow the worrying series of arrests and police raids against opposition politicians carried out in recent days, and once again seriously undermine the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly", the spokesperson said. According to police, more than 3500 people participated in the demonstration.
For the EEAS spokesperson, in order for the local elections on 8 September to represent "a genuinely democratic process, it is essential to create the conditions for a level playing field and an inclusive political environment". The statement added that the EU expects the Russian Federation authorities to respect Russia's OSCE commitments and its other international obligations when conducting the upcoming local elections. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)