MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the implementation of the Council’s LGBTI Guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia
15.5.2017 - (2017/2688(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 128(5) of the Rules of Procedure
Sandra Kalniete, Michael Gahler, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt on behalf of the PPE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0349/2017
B8-0356/2017
European Parliament resolution on the implementation of the Council’s LGBTI Guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia,
– having regard to the Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons of 24 June 2013,
– having regard to the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015 – 2019,
– having regard to the statement issued by the Spokesperson of the European External Action Service on the human rights abuses of gay men in Chechnya on 6 April 2017,
– having regard to the EU local statement on the human rights abuses of gay men in Chechnya of 19 April 2017,
– having regard to the EU statement on the continued reports of arrests and murders of gay men by the Chechen Government at the OSCE Permanent Council of 27 April 2017,
– having regard to the statement issued by the Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State on 7 April 2017,
– having regard to the statement issued by the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment and the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection the right to freedom of opinion and expression on 13 April 2017,
– having regards to the statement issued by the ODIHR Director on 13 April 2017,
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human rights,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
– having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights,
– having regard to Rules 128(5) and 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas in April 2017 the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported that over a hundred men perceived to be homosexuals had been abducted and detained, reportedly by security services in the Republic of Chechnya in the Russian Federation, as part of a coordinated campaign;
B. whereas Novaya Gazeta reported that the abducted men had been mistreated, tortured and forced to disclose the identity of other LGBTI individuals; whereas it was also reported that at least three men had been killed; whereas much of the abuse is reported to have taken place at an unofficial detention centre close to the city of Argun;
C. whereas the authorities in Chechnya reportedly dismissed these allegations and demonstrated unwillingness to investigate and prosecute them;
D. whereas victims of these kind of acts largely refrain from seeking justice, as they fear retaliation by local authorities;
E. whereas Novaya Gazeta journalists have reportedly received death threats on account of their work;
F. whereas the Russian Federation is a signatory to several international human rights treaties and has an obligation to ensure the safety of all persons who may be at risk;
1. Expresses its deep concern over the reports of arbitrary detention and torture of men perceived to be homosexuals in the Republic of Chechnya in the Russian Federation; calls on the authorities to end this campaign of persecution; calls for the immediate release of those who are still illegally detained;
2. Condemns statements by Chechen authorities that condone and incite violence against LGBTI persons; deplores the unwillingness of local authorities to investigate and prosecute the serious violations directed specifically at individuals based on their sexual orientation;
3. Notes that President Putin has instructed the Russian Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Prosecutor to investigate the events in Chechnya; calls for a thorough and credible investigation to be carried out without delay; calls for the EU and the Council of Europe to offer their full support to the Russian authorities for this investigation;
4. Reminds the Russian Federation of its international commitments regarding respect for fundamental freedoms and the fight against discrimination, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; calls for immediate protection measures to be taken for vulnerable individuals who could become victims, and for the full rehabilitation of all victims of torture;
5. Underlines that the EU has reaffirmed its resolute commitment to combating all forms of discrimination throughout the world, including discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation;
6. Expresses serious concern at the climate of impunity, which is allowing such acts to take place without consequences; calls for the identification, prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators;
7. Condemns the threats made against human rights defenders, journalists and others seeking to expose cases of discrimination and violence against LGBTI people;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the European Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the Secretary General Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation, and the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Chechnya.