MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December
4.7.2011
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Ryszard Czarnecki, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Tadeusz Cymański, Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Marek Henryk Migalski, Janusz Wojciechowski on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0396/2011
B7‑0451/2011
European Parliament resolution on the preparations for the Russian State Duma elections in December
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous reports and resolutions on Russia and on EU- Russia relations, in particular its resolutions of 17 February 2011 on the rule of law, of 17 June 2010 on the EU/Russia Summit, of 12 November 2009 on the preparations for the EU-Russia Summit in Stockholm on 18 November 2009, of 17 September 2009 on the murder of human rights activists in Russia, of 17 September 2009 on external aspects of energy security and the resolution on the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny-Novgorod,
– having regard to the existing Agreement on partnership and cooperation establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part (PCA) and to the ongoing negotiations for a new EU-Russia agreement,
– having regard to the Partnership for Modernisation launched at the EU-Russia Summit in May 2010 in Rostov-on-Don and to the commitment made by the Russian leadership to the rule of law as a fundamental basis for the modernisation of Russia,
– having regard to the EU-Russia human rights consultations,
– having regard to the decision of the Russian Ministry of Justice on 22 June to refuse the application for official registration of the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS), which will make impossible the party to participate in the elections,
– having regard to the serious concern expressed by the European Court of Human Rights over the cumbersome registration procedures for political parties in Russia, delivered on 12 April 2011,
– having regard to the Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on party registration in Russia on 22 June 2011,
– having regard to the outcome of the EU-Russia Summit held in Nizhny-Novgorod on 9-10 June 2011,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the European Union continues to be committed to further deepening and developing relations between the EU and Russia in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Partnership for Modernisation, based on a deep commitment to democratic principles, fundamental and human rights and the rule of law,
B. whereas, as a member of the Council of Europe and of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as a signatory of the UN declarations, Russia has committed itself to protecting and promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,
C. whereas several trials and judicial proceedings over the last years have cast doubt on the independence and the impartiality of the judicial institutions of the Russian Federation,
D. whereas ODIHR observers visited Russia during the 2003 parliamentary election and advised that a standard OSCE mission should start work six weeks before the elections and comprise 60 long-term and 400 short-term observers,
E. whereas regional elections held in March 2011 were marked by a number of significant electoral irregularities,
F. whereas the European Parliament and other EU institutions and high officials have repeatedly criticised Russia on a number of serious breeches of democratic standards, human rights violations and failures to uphold the rule of law,
G. whereas in June 2011 hundreds of people turned out in Moscow's Pushkin Square to protest the government's refusal to register a new political party,
H. whereas supporters of the right to free assembly, such as activists of the Strategy 31 campaign, are subject of the raid and criminal investigation,
1. Stresses that the future development of EU-Russia relations will be dependent on the efforts to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights in Russia;
2. Expresses its profound disappointment over the refusal to register the People's Freedom Party, which seriously undermines the principle of political pluralism and freedom of association that are the cornerstones of genuine democracy;
3. Notes that in the past few years no new political party has been registered; expresses its disappointment that Parnas is the ninth political party that, under various pretexts, has been refused to be officially registered;
4. Calls on the Russian authorities to refrain from exerting any pressure on candidates or potential candidates or hinder in any way the free democratic process; calls on the Russian authorities to guarantee that all political forces can take part in the December elections to the State Duma on a fair basis and that a competitive, free and fair election campaign can be held, with equal access to media and no undue interference from state authorities;
5. Expresses particular concern about the rule of law in Russia and the evident weaknesses in the judicial system in the country; but hopes that an eventual judicial appeal could allow opposition parties to register and take part in the election campaign; reiterates its often-repeated concern over the many judicial shortcomings in Russia and calls on the Russian authorities to engage in judicial and administrative reforms to strengthen the rule of law in Russia and to end political interference in the judiciary;
6. Underlines that the State Duma elections should be free and fair and based on the implementation of election standards set by the Council of Europe and OSCE; points out that the registration procedures for political parties and candidate lists have proved to be unjustifiably cumbersome and therefore an obstacle to free and fair elections;
7. Calls on the Russian authorities to allow OSCE/Council of Europe long-term election observation at the earliest stage and calls on the HR/VP to insist on the establishment of the complimentary EU mission for this purpose;
8. Notes the creation of the All-Russia Popular Front by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ahead of the December elections;
9. Notes that since taking power in Russia by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, no elections in this country were recognized by Western observers as free and democratic;
10. Calls on the Russian authorities to agree as fast as possible on the format and all the modalities of ODIHR election observation mission and to send the official invitation well in advance of the elections;
11. Encourages the Council of Europe to consider whether the latest decision limiting the freedom of association and political expression is in line with Russia's obligations and to examine whether the legislation, and its practical implementation, comply with Council of Europe standards; recalls that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe holds the right to withhold verification of the credentials of parliamentarians elected through elections deemed in breech of European standards;
12. Points out that Russia, as a member of the Council of Europe, has signed up to fully respecting European standards as regards to democracy, fundamental and human rights and the rule of law; calls, in this regard, on the Russian authorities to comply with all the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights;
13. Underlines that the systematic failure of Russia to respect democratic principles, the rule of law and fundamental rights must be reflected in the negotiating position of the European Union as regards the work on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; reiterates its support for a comprehensive, legally binding agreement that covers political, economic and social issues and which includes all areas related to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, particularly fundamental rights, provided that Russia is ready to take steps to enhance the rule of law and respect for human rights;
14. Calls on Russia to take concrete measures to improve its human rights record and to protect journalists, human rights activists, minorities and opposition representatives from violence and intimidation; Underlines that enhancing EU-Russia relations and the successful implementation of the Partnership for Modernisation must be conditional upon Russia's respect for fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and media freedom;
15. Encourages the Presidents of the Council and Commission, as well as the High Representative, to continue to closely follow these cases and to raise these issues in different formats and meetings with Russia during the coming months and to proceed with caution in the negotiations on a new agreement with Russia;
16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.