23/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 23 March, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service denounced the police raids and unjust criminal proceedings against representatives of Memorial earlier this week, expressing its solidarity with this “historic, educational, charitable and human rights” association. In a statement, he called on the Russian authorities to end the “ unfounded” prosecution and police harassment of Memorial and its staff, and to respect the rule of law, Russia’s own Constitution and its obligations under international law, including in the field of human rights law. “The recent actions by the Russian authorities constitute yet another step in the ongoing intimidation and persecution of independent and critical voices in the Russian society”, said the spokesperson. (CG)