MEPs condemned, on Thursday 7 April, the Russian regime’s internal repression, which has been further aggravated by Russian aggression in Ukraine.
In March, Russia decided to impose a sentence of up to 15 years in prison for disseminating allegedly ‘fake’ information about the war in Ukraine and to criminalise the sharing of ‘fake news’ about any activity of Russia’s official bodies abroad.
In the joint resolution of the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left groups, which they adopted by a show of hands, MEPs call on the Russian authorities to end the harassment, intimidation and attacks on all anti-war protesters, independent civil society organisations, NGOs, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers in Russia and censorship.
The European Parliament also condemns the imprisonment of Alexei Navalny - which has been extended by 9 years (see EUROPE 12917/19) - again calling for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of hundreds of other Russian citizens detained for demonstrating for democracy and peace or for improving their rights. It also condemns the court decisions leading to the closure of Memorial (see EUROPE 12860/11) and the pressure on Novaya Gazeta leading to the temporary closure of the newspaper (see EUROPE 12920/7).
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/15i (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)