MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the killings of human rights defenders in Russia
15.9.2009
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Renate Weber, Frédérique Ries, Marielle De Sarnez on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0060/2009
B7‑0063/2009
European Parliament resolution on the killings of human rights defenders in Russia
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia, in particular to that of 18 December 2008 on attacks on human rights defenders in Russia and the Anna Politovskaya murder trial and that of 25 October 2006 on EU-Russia relations following the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya,
- having regard to its recommendation to the Council of 2 April 2009 on the new EU-Russia agreement,
- having regard to the ongoing negotiations on a new framework agreement between the EU and Russia,
- having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and the Fundamental Freedoms, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,
- having regard to the declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the murders of the Chechen human rights defender Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband Alik Dzhabrailov
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure
A. whereas as a member of the Council of Europe and of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Russia has committed itself to the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law;
B. whereas in its relationship with third countries the EU must be fully committed to the promotion of the core EU values of democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law;
C. whereas at the EU-Russia Summit of June 2008 negotiations on a new EU-Russia agreement were launched;
D. whereas on 19 January 2009 human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov was shot dead in central Moscow; whereas journalist Anastasia Baburova died of injuries received in the same attack;
E. whereas on 10 July 2009 the body of human rights activist Andrei Kulagin was found in a quarry in Petrozavodsk, two months after his disappearance;
F. whereas on 15 July 2009 human rights activist Natalia Estemirova was kidnapped from her home in Grozny and later found dead from bullet wounds to the head and chest;
G. whereas on 10 August 2009 charity worker Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband Alik Dzhabrailov were abducted by armed men, some of whom were wearing military clothing, from the offices of Ms. Sadulayeva’s Save the Generation charity and were later found dead from multiple bullet wounds in the boot of their car;
H. whereas on 11 August 2009 journalist and editor Abdulmalik Akhmedilov was shot dead shortly after leaving his home in Makhachkala, Dagestan;
I. whereas in recent months a number of human rights activists and journalists including anti-corruption campaigner Albert Pchelinstev, human rights defender Lev Ponomariov and newspaper employee Sergey Protazanov have been subject to brutal attacks and beatings, with Mr. Protazanov dying in the days following the attack;
J. whereas in July of this year human rights organisation Memorial suspended its operations in Chechnya on foot of sustained intimidation and harassment;
K. whereas on 3 September 2009, two months after it ordered the retrial of three suspects acquitted in February this year, Russia’s Supreme Court ordered a new investigation into the 2006 murder of Anna Politkovskaya;
1. Unreservedly condemns the harassment and killing of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists in Russia, expresses its sincere condolences to the relatives, colleagues and loved ones of the murdered activists and denounces the systematic intimidation of human rights organisations and of their employees in the North Caucasus;
2. Calls upon local and national authorities in Russia to fully investigate and prosecute the killings of these human rights activists and journalists and calls on the Russian authorities to ensure the physical safety and freedom of movement and expression of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists;
3. Insists that the principles of respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law must be dominant considerations in any new framework agreement being negotiated between the EU and Russia and that any sustainable strategic partnership between the EU and Russia must be based on truly common values;
4. Welcomes the July telegram of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to human rights organisation Memorial pledging his commitment to fully investigate the murder of Natalia Estemirova; further welcomes the announcement of a new inquiry into the murder of Anna Politkovskaya;
5. Regrets the lack of perceptible progress in or tangible results from the regular EU-Russia human rights consultations; calls, therefore, for a considered and substantial reform of these consultations, encompassing submissions from all levels and sectors of Russian administration - most particularly from the judicial authorities - and from independent NGOs and human rights organisations, aimed at achieving real progress in securing commitments to human rights and the upholding of fundamental freedoms;
6. Reiterates its serious concern at the situation in Chechnya in particular and in the North Caucasus in general, where fear and intimidation are rife and human rights violations, including kidnappings and killings, are carried out in a climate of impunity;
7. 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 OSCE and the Council of Europe.