MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

18.10.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Charles Tannock, Camiel Eurlings, Tunne Kelam and Jacek Emil Saryusz-Wolski
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on EU-Russia relations following the murder of Anna Politkovskaya

B6‑0534/2006

European Parliament resolution on EU-Russia relations after the murder of Anna Politkovskaya

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the objectives of consolidating democracy and political freedoms in the Russian Federation, as laid down in the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which entered into force on December 1 1997,

–  having regard to the European Parliament's previous resolutions and declarations concerning freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Russia, and in particular the report by Cecilia Malmström adopted on May 26 2005,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the murdering of major political opponents has become almost routine in the Russian political arena,

B.  whereas Russia has become one of the deadliest countries for journalists, considering that 23 journalist were killed there between 1996-2005, at least 12 of whom were murdered in contract style killings according to the Committee to Protect Journalists,

C.  whereas investigations into these murders have been insufficient and in most cases the killers have never been revealed,

D.  whereas serious public concern has been expressed both in the international arena and in Russia itself about the deepening suppression of press freedom and freedom of speech,

1.  Pays tribute to the work and merits of Anna Politkovskaya, a highly respected investigative reporter known as the symbol of honest journalism in Russia, who courageously stood up in defence of human life and dignity and who exposed and objectively reported on various forms of crimes against humanity, especially in Chechnya;

2.  Expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Anna Politkovskaya;

3.  Condemns in the strongest terms the murder of Anna Politkovskaya and calls on the Russian authorities to conduct an independent and efficient investigation to find out and punish those responsible for this cowardly crime;

4.  Voices its deep concern over the systematic intimidation, harassment and murder of independent journalists and of other persons critical of the current regime and also over the resulting climate of impunity in which killers seem not to fear the law, and reminds the Russian Government that a continuation of this tendency will deal a heavy blow to Russia's reputation as the Council of Europe presidency state;

5.  Calls on the Commission and the EU Member States to take a principled and consequent stand in insisting on the restoration of freedom of the press and respect for independent journalism as one of the main prerequisites for renewing the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in 2007;

6.  Calls on Russia to follow the objectives set out in the four 'common spaces' and in the EU‑Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which award pride of place to democracy and political freedom;

7.  Is aware that the only way to truly honour Anna Politkovskaya's passionate commitment to truth, justice and human dignity is to make common efforts to realise Anna Politkovskaya's dream of a democratic and citizen-friendly Russia

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Parliaments and Governments of the Member States, the Governments and Parliaments of the Russian Federation and the Council of Europe.