Motion for a resolution - B7-0448/2011Motion for a resolution
B7-0448/2011

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December 2011

4.7.2011

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Elmar Brok, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Ioannis Kasoulides, Alojz Peterle, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Cristian Dan Preda, Michael Gahler,Vytautas Landsbergis, Krzysztof Lisek, Traian Ungureanu, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Inese Vaidere, Jacek Protasiewicz, Zuzana Roithová, Giovanni La Via on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0396/2011

Procedure : 2011/2752(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0448/2011

B7‑0448/2011

European Parliament resolution on the preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December 2011

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous reports and resolutions on Russia and on EU-Russia relations, in particular its resolution of 9 June 2011 on the EU-Russia summit[1], of 17 February 2011[2] on the rule of law, of 17 June 2010 on the EU/Russia Summit, of 12  November 2009[3] prior to the EU-Russia Summit held in Stockholm on 18 November 2009, its resolution of 17 September 2009 on the murder of human rights activists in Russia[4] and its resolution of 17 September 2009 on external aspects of energy security[5],

–   having regard to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights from 12 April 2011 stating that the obligations for political parties to register for elections which have frequently been changed in the last years and broadened imposed a disproportionate burden on political parties in Russia,

–   having regard to the statement of the High Representative Catherine Ashton of 22 June 2011 that expressed concerns over the decision, taken on the same day, of the Russian Ministry of Justice to refuse the application for official registration of the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS),

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Russia as a member of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN has committed itself to respect and to implement the fundamental principles of these organisations,

1.  Deplores the decision of the Russian authorities to reject the registration of the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS) for the forthcoming DUMA elections in December 2011; calls on the Russian authorities to guarantee free and fair elections and to withdraw all decisions and rules that oppose this principle;

2.  Points out that some registration procedures of the Russian electoral system have proved to be disproportionate; calls on the Russian government to live up to its obligations and to implement election standards set by the Council of Europe and the OSCE where it is member of; calls further on the Russian government to facilitate a climate conducive to the creation and registration of political parties as a fundamental part of democracy and the key for further modernisation;

 

3.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.