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 Hanna Foltyn-Kubicka, Inese Vaidere, Guntars Krasts, Konrad Szymański, Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Adam Jerzy Bielan and Mogens N.J. Camre
on behalf of the UEN Group
on EU-Russia relations after the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya

B6‑0536/06

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

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions and declarations on press freedom and freedom of speech in Russia, in particular the report on EU-Russia relations of 26 May 2005,

–  having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 December 1997,

–  having regard to the objective of the EU and Russia, set out in the joint statement issued after the St Petersburg Summit of 31 May 2003, to set up a common economic space, a common space of freedom, security and justice, a space of cooperation in the field of external security and a space of research and education, including cultural aspects,

–  having regard to the objectives of consolidating democracy and political freedoms in the Russian Federation, as set out in the EU-Russia PCA,

–  having regard to the objective of the EU and Russia to implement the four 'common spaces' agreed at the EU-Russia Summit of 10 May 2005,

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

A.  whereas democracy has been weakened in Russia by the fact that of all major electronic media have been brought under government control, self-censorship among the print media, a worsening climate for NGOs, all of which are intended to strengthen the power of the Kremlin,

B.  whereas contract-style killings of political opponents constitutes an alarming phenomenon in Russia,

C.  whereas Russia has become one of the deadliest countries for journalists, given that 23 journalists were killed between 1996-2005 in Russia and at least 12 of them were murdered, according to the data provided by the Committee to Protect Journalists,

D.  whereas the Russian journalist Anna Politkovksaya was shot on 7 October in Moscow and, according to investigators, the murder was linked to her reporting on brutal murders committed by Russian troops in Chechnya,

E.  whereas the investigations into these murders have been inadequate and in most cases the murderers have never been identified,

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

1.  Pays tribute to the work and merits of Anna Politkovskaya, a highly respected journalist, 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 different 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 for an independent and efficient investigation to be carried out into this assassination and other similar murders in order to identify and punish those responsible for this cowardly crime;

4  Voices its deep concern at the fact that the term 'freedom of the press' is becoming an increasingly empty phrase in Russia, and at the systematic intimidation, harassment and murder of independent journalists and other persons critical of the government, and draws attention to the fact that the resulting climate of impunity in which killers seem not to fear the law is seriously damaging Russia's reputation as a state holding the Council of Europe presidency; notes that these developments affect both the situation of the Russian people and Russia's foreign relations, and that as long as they are not reversed, development of the EU-Russia partnership will be more difficult;

5.  Underlines that this alarming phenomenon of contract-style murders of political opponents in Russia casts serious doubts on Russia's status as a democratic state that respects human rights;

6.  Stresses that the murder is an event that will have an impact on the relations of the EU and Western nations with Russia, and should be a reason for the EU to reconsider its relations with Russia where values like human rights, democracy and freedom of speech have been significantly undermined in the country's political life;

7.  Calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to take a principled stand by insisting on the restoration of freedom of the press and respect for independent journalism as one of the main prerequisites for renewing the PCA agreement in 2007;

8.  Reiterates its call on Russia to follow the objectives set out in the four Common Spaces and in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Russia, where the superiority of democracy and political freedom have been declared;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the UN Secretary-General, the Russian State Duma and the Government of the Russian Federation.