MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Russia, in particular the case of Alexey Navalny
13.1.2015 - (2015/2503(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Marie-Christine Vergiat, Helmut Scholz, Patrick Le Hyaric, Younous Omarjee, Kostas Chrysogonos, Georgios Katrougkalos on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
B8‑0051/2015
European Parliament resolution on Russia, in particular the case of Alexey Navalny
The European Parliament,
¾ having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia,
¾ having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Russian Federation, which entered into force in 1997 and has been extended pending its replacement by a new agreement,
¾ Having regard to the commitment both the EU and the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe Membership and the implementation of its resolutions,
¾
¾ having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. Whereas several trials and judicial proceedings in Russia over the past years have cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the judicial institutions of the Russian Federation; whereas leaders of the opposition parties, movements and NGOs are often subject to harassment by the authorities, with some being detained not on the basis of accurate facts but under unverified and oftentimes non-verifiable allegations ,
B. Whereas Alexei Navalny, a Russian lawyer and political activist and member of the Russian Opposition Coordination Council has been arrested accused numerous times of embezzlement and fraud, all of which he denied; whereas in February 2014, Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg were prosecuted on embezzlement and money laundering charges following a complaint by Bruno Leproux, general director of the Russian subsidiary of Yves Rocher, filed to the Investigative Committee of Russia in December 2012, asking to investigate if the "Glavpodpiska" subscription company had damaged Yves Rocher Vostok; whereas the prosecution claimed they had embezzled over 26.7 million rubles ($540,000) from Yves Rocher Vostok, between 2008 and 2012, and 4.4 million rubles from the Russian "Multiprofile Processing Company"; whereas Yves Rocher denied that they had any losses; whereas Alexei Navalny was given 3.5 years of suspended sentence, whereas Oleg Navalny was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and was arrested after the sentence was read;
C. Whereas the Russian authorities have adopted a series of laws containing ambiguous provisions and which are used to place further restrictions on opposition and civil-society actors, and hinder the freedoms of expression and assembly; whereas the law on “foreign agents,” remains a subject of special concern; whereas the implementation of such law has involved severe actions such as prosecutor office's raids, confiscation of property, administrative fines and other measures aimed at preventing and dissuading civil society organisations from carrying out their work,
D. whereas this policy, far from having demonstrated its efficiency, has on the contrary proven to be more and more counterproductive for both the solution of the international problems as well as controversial questions of the economic relations and internal developments of both partners ; Whereas the EU policy of sanctions and the interruption of political dialogue with Russia deprives the EU of the means to raise its concerns at the controversial human rights questions::
1. Calls on the EU to urgently restart a goal-oriented political dialogue with the Russian Federation with a view to restore trust and find solutions to many pending issues and controversial questions regarding their bilateral relationship as well as international matters;
2. Underlines that an active opposition is a crucial element of democracy; expresses its sympathy with the Russian citizens who want more accountability and respect of their rights from the government, parliament and the authorities; asks Russia to promote the engagement of a critical civil society and not to do anything that might hinder its activities ; expresses preoccupation that during the period after the last elections laws are being passed that are restricting civil society space instead ones designed to create an environment that would help civil society enhance human rights promotion and protection
3. Stresses the importance of judicial decisions to be independent, and in full compliance with the rule of law; urges the Russian judicial and law enforcement authorities to carry out their duties in an impartial and independent manner; expresses concern at the verdict against Alexei and Oleg Navalny which appears to be have been rendered on the basis of purely political considerations; calls on the relevant EU institutions to continue to follow the case closely;
4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the President, Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation.