MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia
9.3.2015 - (2015/2592(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Knut Fleckenstein, Richard Howitt, Marju Lauristin, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Kati Piri, Csaba Molnár, Boris Zala, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Marlene Mizzi, Nicola Caputo, Sorin Moisă, Alessia Maria Mosca, Enrico Gasbarra, Miroslav Poche, Jo Leinen, Viorica Dăncilă, Victor Negrescu, Tonino Picula, Marc Tarabella, Goffredo Maria Bettini, Jeppe Kofod, Doru-Claudian Frunzulică, Arne Lietz, Neena Gill, Andi Cristea, Zigmantas Balčytis on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0239/2015
B8‑0250/2015
European Parliament resolution on the murder of the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the state of democracy in Russia
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia,
– having regard to the statement by Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) Federica Mogherini of 28 February 2015 on the murder of Boris Nemtsov,
– having regard to the statement by VP/HR Federica Mogherini of 4 March 2015 on the continued detention of Nadiia Savchenko,
– having regard to the EEAS statement of 4 March 2015 on the abduction of the Estonian police officer Eston Kohver by the Russian security services on Estonian territory,
– having regard to the EU-Russia human rights consultations of 28 November 2013,
– having regard to its recommendation of 2 February 2012 to the Council on a consistent policy towards regimes against which the EU applies restrictive measures, when their leaders exercise their personal and commercial interests within EU borders[1],
– having regard to its resolution of 11 December 2013 on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2012 and the European Union’s policy on the matter[2],
– having regard to the existing Agreement on partnership and cooperation (PCA) establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part, and the suspended negotiations for a new EU-Russia agreement,
– having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Boris Nemtsov, a preeminent reformist of the Russian post-Soviet society and economy, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and one of the leaders of Russia’s liberal opposition, was assassinated two days before a public protest against the political, social and economic situation the country and the conflict in Ukraine, a rally which he was co-organising;
B. whereas Boris Nemtsov was a strong advocate of a modern, prosperous and democratic Russian Federation, open to the world;
C. whereas Russia, as a member of several international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations, has committed itself to the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and whereas the European Union has repeatedly offered additional assistance and expertise to help Russia to modernise and abide by its constitutional and legal order, in line with Council of Europe standards;
D. whereas there are concerns about developments in the Russian Federation with regard to respect for and protection of human rights and respect for commonly agreed democratic principles and the rule of law;
E. whereas there is an increasing need for a firm, coherent and comprehensive EU policy towards Russia, supported by all the Member States, with support and assistance backed up by firm and fair criticism;
F. whereas on 4 March 2015 a Moscow court rejected another appeal from Nadiia Savchenko against her illegal detention by the Russian Federation, lodged with reference to her immunity as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE); whereas by 4 March Ms Savchenko had been on hunger strike for 82 days, and whereas, after such an extended period of time, she faces the risk of permanent damage to her health, or death; whereas six months have passed since the abduction of Estonian police officer Eston Kohver by the Russian security services on Estonian territory, in violation of international law; whereas he continues to be illegally detained in Lefortovo prison in Moscow; whereas he is not receiving adequate legal aid, has been deprived of his right to fair proceedings and has been ordered to undergo an unjustified psychiatric examination, the details of which remain unknown;
G. whereas several trials and judicial proceedings over the last few years, such as the Navalnyi, Magnitskii, Khodorkovskii and Politkovskaia cases, have cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the judicial institutions of the Russian Federation; whereas these high-profile cases are merely the most well-known cases outside Russia of what amounts to a systematic failure by the Russian state to uphold the rule of law and to deliver justice to its citizens;
H. whereas the European Union has important relations with the Russian Federation and stands ready to engage in a frank and open dialogue with it;
1. Expresses its deep shock and concern following the murder of Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead by professional assassins in a highly secured area next to the Kremlin and Red Square;
2. Pays homage to Boris Nemtsov for his political activity as a reformist and promoter of a modernisation of Russian society; expresses its sincere condolences to Boris Nemtsov’s family and friends, members of the opposition and the Russian people;
3. Expects the Russian authorities to conduct a full, rapid and transparent investigation into this assassination and to bring the culprits swiftly to justice; notes the recent arrests of suspects in this case;
4. Expresses its deep concern at the attacks against political opposition figures, independent human rights organisations and civil society groups in Russia; points out that recent developments such as the restrictions imposed on civil society organisations, the repression of the political opposition and aggressive targeted disinformation campaigns by state-controlled media all seem to serve the purpose of deliberately building up breeding grounds for an extremely nationalistic political climate marked by anti-democratic rhetoric, repression and hate speech;
5. Expresses its deep concern at the arrest of Oleksii Honcharenko, a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and member of the PACE, on 1 March 2015;
6. Calls on the Russian authorities to release as a matter of urgency Nadiia Savchenko, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and member of the PACE, kidnapped in the territory of Ukraine and illegally detained in a Russian jail; stresses that Russia bears a responsibility for her very fragile health;
7. Calls for the immediate release of Estonian police officer Eston Kohver and for his safe return to Estonia;
8. Urges the Commission and the EEAS, with regard to the ongoing programming phase of the EU financial instruments, to increase the EU’s financial assistance to Russian civil society through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and the funds for civil society organisations and local authorities, and to include the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum in the Partnership Instrument in order to ensure sustainable and credible long-term support;
9. 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.