Débats

Jeudi 16 mars 2017 - Strasbourg

3.2. Prisonniers politiques ukrainiens en Russie et situation en Crimée

  Elnök asszony. – A következő napirendi pont vita öt, ukrán politikai foglyokkal Oroszországban és a Krím helyzetével kapcsolatos állásfoglalásra irányuló indítványról1 (2017/2596(RSP)).

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1 Lásd a jegyzőkönyvet.

  Rebecca Harms, Verfasserin. – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, verehrte Kolleginnen und Kollegen aus der Werchowna Rada! Wer in den letzten Jahren die Krimtataren zu Hause auf der Halbinsel besucht hat, der weiß, was für diese Gruppe von ukrainischen Bürgern der erneute Verlust der Heimat und der Verlust aller ihrer Rechte bedeutet, der weiß, was es bedeutet, wenige Jahrzehnte nach der Rehabilitierung gegen die Verfolgung unter Stalin wieder im Zentrum von systematischer Kriminalisierung und Verfolgung zu stehen. Ich finde es gut, dass die Kollegen aus allen anderen Fraktionen sich mit uns allen verständigt haben, gegen die Annektierung der Krim, gegen die andauernde Besetzung der Krim diese Entschließung heute mit einem ganz breiten Konsens zu verabschieden. Es ist für die Ukrainer auf der Krim und es ist für die Ukrainer in ihrem Land ungeheuer wichtig, dass wir gegen das Unrecht, gegen den Bruch internationalen Rechts durch Russland solidarisch sind.

Als wir diese Entschließung erarbeitet haben, die sich ja ganz stark und mit guten Gründen auf die Krim bezieht, sind aber auch in den mit russischer Hilfe besetzten Gebieten von Luhansk und Donezk neue Tatsachen geschaffen worden. Nicht nur gilt inzwischen der Rubel als Zahlungsmittel in der Gegend von Luhansk, sondern inzwischen werden russische Pässe anerkannt und ukrainische Unternehmen werden verstaatlicht.

Liebe Kollegen aus der Rada! Ich möchte diese Debatte zum Anlass nehmen, nochmal zu sagen, dass die Sanktionen, die die Europäische Union gegen den Bruch des internationalen Rechts beschlossen hat, nicht in Frage gestellt werden dürfen. Mit diesen Sanktionen verteidigen wir Sicherheit und Ordnung auf diesem Kontinent. Wer die Sanktionen immer wieder in Frage stellt, der gefährdet nicht nur die Menschen, die in die Unrechtsmühlen der russischen Verfolgung auf der Krim oder im Osten der Ukraine geraten, der gefährdet auch die Zukunft von Sicherheit und Stabilität auf dem gesamten Kontinent.

  Anna Elżbieta Fotyga, author. – Madam President, we commemorate the sad anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. We have to remember that the Crimean Tatars are the indigenous people who have been living there for centuries, intimidated by the imperial will of earlier Russian Tsars, then by Stalin, and now by Putin’s regime.

They were offered open annexation and a political deal, a puppet autonomy under Russian rule, for acceptance of the annexation. They are people of honour and therefore refused this deal. Then intimidation and mass violation of their human rights started, including the delegalisation of their political representation, the Mejlis, and the pronouncement that this respectable body had terrorist links. We have had the opportunity to listen to the families of people who perished under Russian rule. Mustafa Dehermendzhy was arrested for actions taken before the annexation. The same happened to other people.

  Soraya Post, författare. – Fru talman! Krig och diktatur är de mänskliga rättigheternas värsta fiender. Båda har gjort fasansfull comeback i Europa. Det kanske största hotet i dag heter Vladimir Putin. För första gången sedan andra världskriget har han möblerat om europeiska gränser med våld. Bakom dessa nya gränser har han satt de mänskliga rättigheterna på grillen.

62 ukrainska medborgare har olagligt åtalats i Ryssland av politiska skäl. 17 hålls olagligen i förvar i Ryska federationen och 15 på Krim. Hundratals hålls som gisslan i ockuperade östra Ukraina.

När ett självständigt land i Europa angrips med våld är det en attack mot oss allihop. När mänskliga rättigheter trampas på, måste alla demokrater stå upp. Låt oss i dag höja rösten, kära kollegor, så att vi hörs hela vägen ända fram till Kreml.

  Petras Auštrevičius, author. – Madam President, Commissioner, Ukrainian friends and colleagues, the Russian Federation is 26 times bigger by territory than our host country, France. That looks like more than enough living space, does it not? No, it does not, and Putin decides to occupy Crimea. No wonder. For Russian tsars and Bolsheviks, for Stalin, and now Putin, politics has always been about expansion and domination. To destroy the Europeanisation of neighbouring nations, to deport and suppress those who protest – this is the line of the Kremlin.

Next to the Kurils and Sakhalin in the East, the Kola Peninsula in the North, Kaliningrad in the West, Crimea – once an attractive summer resort – is being rapidly built as a military stronghold in the South. From 12 000 military personnel before occupation up to a figure of double that today, and 43 000 in the near future, this is the ‘Russian world’ in Crimea. A so-called ‘new world’ in Crimea is being built at the expense of the oppression of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian citizens.

Colleagues, Russia is surely back to its imperial military posture and we must take it absolutely seriously. Abkhazia and Ossetia, Transnistria and Crimea are not coincidences; these are all parts of the Kremlin’s plan, just as Syria is today, and as Libya might be tomorrow.

  Elnök asszony. – Szeretném tájékoztatni mindazokat egyébként, akik a galérián helyet foglalnak, hogy ők tartózkodjanak mindenféle véleménynyilvánítástól, mert az eljárásunk szerint erre nincs lehetőség. És képviselők sérelmezték ezt – jogosan. Úgyhogy ők sem tetszésnyilvánítást nem tudnak tenni, sem semmiféle kommentárt nem tudnak fűzni ahhoz, ami itt az ülésteremben történik.

  Tunne Kelam, author. – Madam President, we are here today to express the voice of all 28 nations in Europe in support of Ukrainian political prisoners, and to demonstrate our solidarity with the Crimean Tatars. Let me recognise, in this connection, the NGO Open Dialog, whose project ‘LetMyPeopleGo’ is doing the most valuable work in providing information about political prisoners and defending them. Our resolution, which is to be adopted soon, is strong and clear, and voices an unprecedented unity amongst practically all political groups. However, it all comes down to concrete actions by the EU governments.

I think it is high time to give up on false illusions that one could have a deal with aggressors. We need not to just tiptoe on sanctions, but strike with all force on the secret bank accounts of those responsible, and deny them entry into the EU. Ukrainian friends, you should know that the representatives of the 28 European nations will never be silent – and we will never abandon you – until all prisoners are free and the occupation of your country is ended.

(Applause)

  Dariusz Rosati, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, March 2017 marks the third sad anniversary of the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation. While time has passed, the illegal occupation of Ukraine’s territory continues and the human rights situation in Crimea has significantly deteriorated. At least 39 people are being held in detention in Crimea on trumped—up charges, while the practice of the transfer of detainees to distant regions of Russia still continues. Moreover, systematic violations of human rights, the use of torture and degrading treatment of political prisoners have been recorded by various organisations such as the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission and Amnesty International.

Too much time has passed to continue as if nothing had happened. I urge the Commission to immediately address Russia with a demand that the political oppression on the Crimean peninsula be stopped. I call on the Council to consider further restrictive measures to be imposed on individuals responsible for gross human rights violations, including the freezing of assets in EU banks. We need to continue to show our solidarity with our Ukrainian friends in these difficult times.

  Marju Lauristin, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, dear colleagues and Ukrainian friends, today we are gathering here at the time when the sad anniversary of the third year of occupation of Crimea falls. At the same time, Russian officials and Russian media are cynically celebrating the occupation of Crimea as a national victory. They even plan to shift the elections in Russia to celebrate the occupation of Crimea.

It is very important we show that all Europeans recognise that this is annexation, that it is illegal and that, on 16 December last year, the United Nations General Assembly officially condemned the occupation and called for it not to be recognised. For those who are not firm in support of this, we have to remind them that it is not the first time in history. From the history of the Baltic countries we know how important this politics of non-recognition is, and how important international support is for occupied countries. I call on us to be firm to support the organisations who are fighting for human rights ...

(The President cut off the speaker)

  Charles Tannock, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Madam President, three years since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, it is important that we continue to demonstrate our resolve in stating that Crimea is, and remains, an integral part of Ukraine, and to stand in solidarity with those that are suffering under the military occupation. Maintaining this resolve, in which the rule of law and peaceful relations triumph against the ‘might is right’ dogma and spheres of influence espoused by Putin, is essential for the European Union.

Many will remember the visit of Mr Dzhemiliev, leader of the Crimean Tatars, to this House last year and the moving accounts he gave. The personal events of his life have been mirrored in the turbulent history of Crimea, and it is a tragedy that in 2017 we are seeing further destabilisation. For the second time in his life Dzhemiliev has been banned from entering his homeland, whilst for those able to remain from his community, economic conditions and the human rights situation have declined. Cases of disappearances and allegations of arbitrary arrest and torture are very concerning.

As we saw in the case of South Ossetia, annexation is assumed by the Kremlin to result in only a temporary cooling of relations with the West, only later to be forgotten. We cannot allow this to happen again with Crimea. To do so would be to embolden the plans of President Putin in his quest to reassert control in the former Soviet space by aggressive territorial expansion.

  Urmas Paet, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Madam President, first and foremost, Russia must stop the aggression in Ukraine. It must live up to the Minsk Agreements and stop the annexation of Crimea. However, given the reality that Russia is the occupying power in Crimea, it has the responsibility to protect the people in Crimea. However, they are doing the opposite. They prosecute innocent people for political reasons, then they prosecute people protecting those innocent people, such as, for example, their lawyers. The human rights situation has deteriorated significantly, and this needs to stop.

Russia claimed that the people in Crimea wanted to be freed from Ukraine and that they wanted to join with Russia. If Russian occupation in Crimea is a blessing to the people there, then why do you need to prosecute and harass the Tatars, Ukrainians and even Russians themselves there? The harassment, prosecutions and human rights violations must stop, and all those responsible must be brought to justice.

  Jiří Maštálka, za skupinu GUE/NGL. – Paní předsedající, téměř 10 000 zabitých, více než 22 000 raněných a obrovské množství běženců, z toho 2,3 milionu do Ruska. To je dosavadní bilance ozbrojeného konfliktu na Ukrajině. A konce zatím nedohlédnout. Je samozřejmě správné projevit zájem o individuální osudy lidí, kteří se stali politickými vězni. I já plně podporuji, abychom plně kritizovali věznění za politické názory nebo činy, které nejsou v rozporu s demokratickými zákony. Při zájmu o osud jedinců však nesmíme zapomínat na utrpení milionů. Jejich bolest je možná anonymní, nelze ji přisoudit mediálně líbivé příběhy, ale je podstatná. Proč například důrazně nepožadujeme vyšetření upálení nevinných v Oděse? Takový postup se mi jeví jako trestuhodně nebezpečný a zbabělý. Naším úkolem je pomáhat nalézt cestu k ukončení války na Ukrajině a ne přilévat olej do ohně tím, že se postavíme pouze na jednu stranu utrpení.

IN THE CHAIR: RYSZARD CZARNECKI
Vice-President

  Heidi Hautala, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Mr President, on the third anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea, the Russian Federation is celebrating reunification. However, with our resolution, we must be determined to shed light on what is really happening in Crimea. It is tragic to see the lawlessness and the repression of civil, political and human rights in Crimea, including the situation of the political prisoners, some of whom have been transferred to remote regions of the Russian Federation.

We also have to give our full support and sympathy to the Tatars, the original indigenous people of Crimea. We very much appreciated the visit of their speaker, Mr Dzhemiliev, who was here a few months ago. We have to condemn the prohibition and ban of the Tatar Parliament, and we have to make sure that civil, political and human rights are returned to everyone on the peninsula. However, the situation will of course not change as long as the Russian Federation stays as an occupying power. We have to recognise the full sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea, and we have to continue the policy of non-recognition.

  Marcus Pretzell, im Namen der ENF-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, meine Damen und Herren! Es völlig unbestritten, dass in diesem Konflikt Völkerrecht und Menschenrecht von allen Seiten gebrochen worden ist. Aber, Frau Harms, Sie haben mit dazu beigetragen. Unter anderem ist es das Assoziierungsabkommen gewesen, das eine ohnehin aufgeheizte politische Stimmung weiter angeheizt hat. Sie schrecken selbst davor nicht zurück, Neonationalisten wie die Kampfpilotin Nadija Sawtschenko zu loben, wenn es Ihrem Kampf – ja, Frau Harms, Sie sind keine Freundin der Ukraine, Sie kämpfen Ihren Kampf gegen Russland, und das ist etwas völlig anderes.

Am Montag sind die Russland-Sanktionen, die jetzt nur noch verschämt „restriktive Maßnahmen gegen Aktionen, die die territoriale Integrität, Souveränität und Unabhängigkeit der Ukraine bedrohen“, bis September 2017 verlängert worden. Sie werden auch damit keinen Frieden schaffen, sondern Sie verhindern damit Verhandlungen, die die Ukraine mit Russland wird führen müssen. Die Europäische Union ist dabei keine Hilfe.

(Der Redner ist damit einverstanden, eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“ gemäß Artikel 162 Absatz 8 der Geschäftsordnung zu beantworten.)

  Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (PPE), blue-card question. – The Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine has been decided by the sovereign Parliament of Ukraine several times and voted through by several governments of Ukraine. As with many other association agreements with our neighbours, this was not imposed by the European Union. My question is: does my colleague think it is up to Russia to decide with whom a sovereign nation like Ukraine should trade, have agreements, or have relations? Is it for Russia to decide how its neighbouring countries should conduct relations with the rest of Europe and the world?

  Marcus Pretzell (ENF), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. Frau Kollegin! Sie wissen ganz genau, dass mehr passiert ist, als dass das ukrainische Parlament das angenommen hat. Normalerweise werfen Sie uns ja vor, wir zögen uns auf Formalismus zurück. Sie wissen ganz genau, dass vorher mit NGOs und mit sehr viel europäischem Geld massiv Stimmung gemacht worden ist, um genau das zu erreichen. Und Sie haben Druck ausgeübt, um die Ukraine auf einen Anti-Russlandkurs zu zwingen. Und ja, das Parlament hat dieses Spiel am Ende mitgemacht, das ist richtig. Das war – das muss und kann man jetzt wohl sagen – ein Fehler.

  Ελευθέριος Συναδινός ( NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, είναι εγκληματική ενέργεια, όταν χώρα εισβάλλει με τις ένοπλες δυνάμεις της στο έδαφος μιας άλλης, προβαίνει σε εκδιώξεις, καταστροφές θρησκευτικών τόπων λατρείας, κατασχέσεις περιουσιών και παραβιάζει κάθε έννοια ανθρωπίνου δικαιώματος. Αναφέρομαι στην Τουρκία, που το 1974 κατέλαβε το 1/3 του εδάφους της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας και συνεχίζει ανενόχλητα να εγκληματεί κατά κράτους μέλους της Ένωσης, μη αναγνωρίζοντας την υπόστασή του. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση θεωρεί αδικαιολόγητα ότι η ειρηνική προσάρτηση της Κριμαίας αποτελεί περίπτωση παράνομης εισβολής και κατηγορεί, επιβάλλει κυρώσεις και καταδικαστικές πολιτικές στη Ρωσία. Στην Τουρκία αντιθέτως χαρίζει δισεκατομμύρια, υπόσχεται ένταξη και ανέχεται τη δικτατορική συμπεριφορά του Ερντογάν. Αυτό είναι υποκρισία και δείχνει ότι η Ένωση δεν ενδιαφέρεται για τους πολίτες της και τοποθετεί τα γεωπολιτικά γεωστρατηγικά της συμφέροντα πάνω απ’ την ανθρώπινη αξιοπρέπεια και τη δικαιοσύνη.

Τέλος, να επισημάνω ότι είναι απαράδεκτο σε εκθέσεις του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου να ζητάμε από το Συμβούλιο να ασκεί πιέσεις στο Διεθνές Δικαστήριο. Η διάκριση των εξουσιών είναι συνταγματικά κατοχυρωμένη και κάθε προσπάθεια χειραφέτησης της δικαιοσύνης παραπέμπει σε δημοκρατίες τύπου Στάλιν.

  Sandra Kalniete (PPE). – Mr President, this resolution will give a glimmer of hope to the hundreds of Ukrainian citizens who are being illegally detained and held hostage by Russia. It should remind Putin that no—one is forgotten and nothing is forgotten. Russia’s war against Ukraine is not forgotten. The illegal annexation of Crimea is not forgotten. The fate of innocent victims is not forgotten. There should be no normalisation of any relations with Russia without the release of these political prisoners. Let us make this clear to Putin and his political and business partners in Europe. It is very important that Russia should be legally defined as an occupying power under the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in occupied territories. I strongly believe that Russian leaders should be held accountable for gross and systematic violations of human rights in occupied territories.

  Tibor Szanyi (S&D). – Elnök úr, Európa nem nézheti tétlenül, hogy ezeket a hazafiakat az agresszor saját joghatása alá vonja, bebörtönzi, megkínozza. De ezen túlmenően szerintem az Európai Uniónak és a főképviselőnek általában is sokkal tevékenyebb, határozottabb és a helyi lakosság számára láthatóbb szerepet kellene vállalnia Ukrajna békéjének helyreállításában, Putyin agresszív terjeszkedésének visszafordításában. S ezen erőfeszítéseinket pedig abban a tudatban kell folytatnunk, hogy az agresszort nem lehet engedékenységgel megfékezni. A Krím illegális megszállása, militarizálása, az ottani ukrán hazafiak sorsával kapcsolatos kegyetlen és cinikus orosz magatartás is arra figyelmeztet bennünket, hogy az EU csak határozottan és teljes egységben tudhat eredményesen szembeszállni a putyini provokációkkal.

Ha egy tagállami kormány pedig ezt az egységet önös politikai érdekekből aláássa, Putyinnak udvarol és céljait kiszolgálja, egész Európa konkrét, közvetlen biztonsági kockázatnak teszi ki.

  Mark Demesmaeker (ECR). – Tientallen Oekraïense burgers zitten vandaag in Russische gevangenissen voor misdrijven die ze nooit hebben begaan. Ze zijn gijzelaars van de niet-verklaarde Russische oorlog tegen Oekraïne. Ze worden op een arbitraire manier gearresteerd omdat ze artikels schrijven bijvoorbeeld of omdat ze opstappen in een betoging of gewoon omdat ze Krim-Tataar zijn. Ze worden vervolgens gefolterd om een bekentenis af te leggen voor zaken die ze nooit hebben gedaan.

Wat zit er achter die Russische werkwijze? Wel, onze burgers moeten weten dat de reden heel doorzichtig is. Het Kremlin wil zijn burgers doen geloven dat ze in groot gevaar zijn en dat een sterk gezag hen moet beschermen. Het versterkt de riedel en de leugen van de Russische staatsmedia dat Oekraïne de staatsvijand nummer 1 is. De agressor wordt dan plots slachtoffer.

De Krim werd drie jaar geleden illegaal geannexeerd en ondanks alle internationale veroordelingen blijft Rusland de Krim bezetten. Onze les moet zijn: wie respect wil afdwingen voor het internationaal recht moet ook vasthouden aan de sancties tegen hen die dat recht met de voeten treden. Wie het echt meent met de mensenrechten moet de sancties verscherpen tegen hen die deze rechten flagrant blijven schenden.

  Jasenko Selimovic (ALDE). – Mr President, honourable Ukrainian friends, I very much welcome that the European Parliament is today strongly condemning Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its disastrous consequences for ordinary citizens, three years after the illegal annexation of the peninsula. Crimea is just a few hours away by plane and still it has become a human rights black hole. Neither the Council of Europe nor the United Nations have access to the peninsula and they cannot monitor the situation there. Discriminatory policies are imposed on Crimean Tatars, fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech and association, are constantly violated, and Europe is looking away. It is shameful, and it is also shameful to listen to our colleagues who support the Russian oppression. The EU must make it perfectly clear to Russia that the occupation of Crimea will never be accepted or recognised, that the respect of human rights in Crimea is not on the table for negotiation.

  Jean-Luc Schaffhauser (ENF). – Monsieur le Président, chers collègues, la situation est idéologique et la raison ne l’emporte pas.

Je voudrais rappeler le contexte historique. En février 2014, les puissances occidentales avaient signé un document pour une transition démocratique, les événements de Maïdan ont été un véritable coup d’État et il y a eu interruption de l’état de droit. C’est un fait juridique.

Face à cela, la Russie a occupé la Crimée qui avait été donnée – il faut le dire – par un décret en 1954 par Khrouchtchev et il y a eu référendum sur la libre autodétermination. Nous sommes face à une situation juridique compliquée parce qu’effectivement, nous avons d’un côté ce que nous avons signé, qui ne s’est pas réalisé, et donc une rupture de l’état de droit et une autre situation de rupture. Je tiens seulement à signaler à propos de l’occupation en Crimée, où il y a eu une véritable autodétermination, que la situation des droits de l’homme n’est pas pire aujourd’hui qu’hier et que donc nous devons raison garder.

(L’orateur accepte de répondre à une question «carton bleu» (article 162, paragraphe 8, du règlement))

  Michaela Šojdrová (PPE), otázka položená zvednutím modré karty. – Vážený pane kolego, pokud by všichni uvažovali tak jako Vy a chovali se podle toho, co Vy nám zde povídáte, tak bych já jako občanka České republiky tady nemohla nikdy být, protože by ještě existovala Československá socialistická republika a existovala by zde Varšavská smlouva. Já se Vás chci zeptat: Uznáváte právo občanů jít do ulic a demonstrovat za svá svobodná práva?

  Jean-Luc Schaffhauser (ENF), réponse "carton bleu". – Madame, je tiens d’abord à vous dire – et personne ne pourra le contester, puisqu’il y a des témoins – que les différents mouvements d’opposition au système communiste se sont réunis chez moi, avant la chute du mur, et que j’ai donc été un acteur important dans tout ce qui concerne cette action anti-communiste. C’est l’histoire, ce sont des faits. Personne ne peut le contester, ceux qui étaient présents peuvent en témoigner. C’est la première chose que je tiens à dire.

Pour vous répondre, je tiens aussi à dire que mon pays, la France, le Sénat, l’Assemblée nationale, ont pris des positions qui sont celles que j’expose actuellement. Vous devez avoir le respect de la politique nationale.

  Jaromír Štětina (PPE). – Pane předsedající, dnes už je nemoderní nacpat lidi do dobytčáků a deportovat je. Tyto metody si dovolil Josef Stalin, když deportoval Čečence, Inguše, Krymské Tatary. Dnes se ve světě používají mnohem subtilnější metody než násilné stěhování celých národů. Národ není třeba stěhovat, stačí sofistikovaně vytvořit atmosféru strachu a lidé se vystěhují sami. Tuto metodu používá vůči Krymským Tatarům dnešní Rusko, které Krymský poloostrov už třetím rokem nezákonně okupuje. Velmi účinným prostředkem jsou únosy, vraždy, zneužívání antiteroristických zákonů, zneužívání psychiatrických léčeben, ranní vykopávání dveří těžce pracujících rodin Krymských Tatarů. Je naší povinností postavit se na stranu těžce zkoušeného národa Krymských Tatarů. Ukrajinští občané nezákonně zadržovaní v Rusku a na okupovaných územích musí být co nejrychleji a bezpodmínečně propuštěni.

  Eduard Kukan (PPE). – Mr President, Crimea has now been occupied by Russia for three years. Unfortunately, many of our expectations have been confirmed. Crimea is a concern to humanitarian and human rights organisations, civil liberties and freedoms have been curtailed, repressions against ethnic Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians have been growing, forced imposition of Russian citizenship has become systematic, and the number of political prisoners is on the rise.

We need to be concerned. Crimea is Europe’s traumatic spot. We need to be concerned about the ongoing situation there, about Russia’s responsibility for abuse of human rights in Crimea and, not least, about political prisoners being placed in Russian penal colonies because of their denial of the occupation. We should make sure that Crimea will not become a black hole in Europe which will traumatise generations to come.

Catch-the-eye procedure

  Michaela Šojdrová (PPE). – Pane předsedající, já bych chtěla především poděkovat autorům této rezoluce, která mluví jasným hlasem a jasnými slovy říká, jaká je situace na Krymu a jaká je naše reakce. Evropský parlament podporuje jednotu a územní celistvost Ukrajiny. V rámci mezinárodně uznávaných hranic odsuzuje nezákonnou anexi Krymu Ruskem a podporuje sankce, které jsou účinné. Odsuzujeme pronásledování a šikanu oponentů a perzekuci Krymských Tatarů. Žádáme jejich propuštění. Krymští Tataři, kteří jsou pronásledováni, jsou obyčejnými lidmi, umělci, učiteli, drobnými živnostníky a mnozí z nich byli odsouzeni k výkonu trestu a posláni do vězeňských táborů. Co považuji za velmi důležitý signál je to, že se jedná o společné stanovisko pěti politických frakcí napříč zeměmi, napříč politickými frakcemi vyjma extrémistů. Je to jasný signál Rusku a také jasná podpora Ukrajině.

  Julie Ward (S&D). – Mr President, I would like to thank Open Dialogue Foundation for the work they continue to do to expose the Russian State’s systematic abuse of human rights, and also the international campaign Let My People Go, which deserves more support and recognition.

I would especially like to raise the case of Ukrainian film—maker Oleg Sentsov, who was a rising star in the international film scene before his unlawful arrest. I would also like to thank Belarus Free Theatre for their production ‘Burning Doors’, which tells his story. True and meaningful peace can only come about through intercultural dialogue and cultural diplomacy. That is why artists and creators have such an important role to play in developing better democracies. The Russian Government must immediately release Sentsov and all prisoners it holds illegally, investigate reports of torture and give reparations to victims.

  Csaba Sógor (PPE). – Elfogadhatatlan helyzetet idézett elő Oroszország a Krím-félszigeten a krími tatár közösség elleni szisztematikus támadásokkal, a kisebbségi közösség alapvető jogainak súlyos megsértésével, a Medzslisz betiltásával és az ukrán iskolák bezárásával. Annál is inkább érthetetlen ez az orosz politika, mivel Ukrajnán éppen az ottani orosz kisebbség elleni jogsértéseket, az orosz anyanyelvű kisebbség nyelvi jogainak semmibe vételét kérték számon. Most azt látjuk, hogy egy nagy ország számára csak a sajátjai a fontosak és ugyanazokat az alapelveket, amelyek betartását számon kéri másokon, saját magára már nem tartja érvényesnek és kötelezőnek. Fontos, hogy az Európai Unió ne kövesse el ugyanezt a hibát és következetesen álljon ki az emberi jogok, köztük a kisebbségek jogainak érvényesüléséért.

Kérjük számon Oroszországon és Ukrajnán is ezeket a jogsértéseket, de saját tagállamaikban se hagyjuk szó nélkül. Másképp könnyen hiteltelenné válunk, és ezért nem lesz súlya a kritikáinknak.

  Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D). – Mr President, dear colleagues, more than 60 Ukrainian citizens have been illegally prosecuted for political reasons. The Russian Federation, as an occupying power, has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the entire population and respect for the human, cultural and religious rights of the indigenous Tatars and all other minorities in Crimea. Moreover, Russia should immediately cease its prosecution practices and effectively investigate all cases of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

Mykola Semena, who is facing charges of separatism, is yet more proof of the ongoing repression and terrible deterioration of free expression and free media. Finally, I would like to underline that Russian courts are not competent to judge acts committed outside the internationally-recognised territory of Russia. Crimea is a region that will always be part of Ukraine.

  José Inácio Faria (PPE). – Senhor Presidente, em primeiro lugar, quero cumprimentar os nossos amigos ucranianos aqui presentes. Não é a primeira vez que, nesta Casa, condenamos a anexação ilegal da Crimeia e de Sebastopol pela Rússia e o recurso sistemático a perseguições, sequestros, torturas, prisões arbitrárias e execuções extrajudiciais para reduzir a península ao silêncio e à submissão.

Por motivos políticos, estão neste preciso momento detidos 45 cidadãos ucranianos em condições indignas e desumanas. É a eles, aos tártaros, que residem há séculos na Crimeia e a todos os ucranianos que há três anos lutam pela integridade territorial do seu país, que, uma vez mais, precisamos de enviar um claro sinal político do apoio que passa, não apenas pela condenação destas violações sistemáticas dos direitos humanos, mas também pela plena aplicação do Acordo de Associação com a União Europeia e a entrada em vigor da liberalização imediata dos regimes de vistos.

Não podemos deixar que estes passos urgentes estejam reféns dos calendários eleitorais de diversos Estados-Membros, nalguns dos quais surgem movimentos e partidos a quem aqueles que lutam corajosamente pelos valores de Maidan podem dar lições acerca do que é ser-se verdadeiramente europeu. Sr. Presidente, je suis ukranien, hoje e sempre.

  President. – I see that Mr Notis Marias is absent, which is a pity.

(End of catch-the-eye procedure)

  Julian King, Member of the Commission, on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. – Mr President, I would like to thank Honourable Members for this resolution. As has been underlined, on Saturday we will mark the third anniversary of the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia. The EU is following with great concern the deterioration of the human rights situation on the peninsula. Let us be clear: arrests and arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment, abusive use of anti-extremism legislation and violations of due process represent grave human rights violations. These target especially the Crimean Tatars and people who reject the illegal annexation.

The EU calls for a thorough investigation of these cases and the bringing to justice of those responsible. Increasingly frequent attacks on the vital work conducted by human rights defenders, such as human rights lawyers Emil Kurbedinov and Nikolay Polozov, represent worrying developments. Forced psychiatric examinations of the Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis, Ilmi Umerov, Emir Hussein Kuku, Eider Saledinov and Rustam Ismailov, are clear violations of international human rights standards.

The EU continues to call for full, free and unhindered access of international human rights mechanisms to the peninsula. The EU stands ready to work with the UN and other international organisations to implement Resolution 71/205 on the situation of human rights in Crimea and Sevastopol, adopted by the General Assembly last December. The EU follows the situation closely and has repeatedly urged Russia to release all illegally held Ukrainian citizens, whether held in Russia or in the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. Representatives from EU delegations and Member States’ embassies in Moscow have been present in court hearings and are in contact with the lawyers.

The EU also raises individual cases – such as those of Oleg Senstov, Olexander Kolchenko, Stanislav Klich and Mykola Karpyuk – in bilateral meetings with Russian representatives, as well as in public statements, including in international fora such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Human rights must be respected fully in the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. The right to legal counsel and access to consular officers needs to be fully respected. Access to healthcare needs to be ensured. In this regard we also follow with concern the case of journalist Mykola Semena.

Finally, let me restate that the European Union remains committed to implement fully its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. We fully support the sovereignty, the independence and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Przewodniczący. – Zamykam debatę.

  Andrea Bocskor (PPE), írásban. – Üdvözlöm az elkészült sürgősségi határozatot,mely az Oroszország által vegzált ukrán politikai foglyok és a krími tatárok védelmében, valamint a Krím félsziget jogtalan annektálása ellen fogalmazódott meg. Az EU egyik feladata, hogy a szomszédságában létrejött háborús helyzetet ne hagyja befagyott konfliktussá válni, és az ország mielőbbi stabilizálódását segítse elő. Ukrajna kinyilvánította európai integrációs törekvését, s ezért nem szabad magára hagyni abban a nehéz helyzetben, amiben van. Az EU felelőssége is, hogy Ukrajna végig tudja vinni a reformfolyamatot, és az orosz befolyástól független, a szovjet hagyományok koloncától megszabadult demokratikus jogállammá váljon. Az emberi jogok védelme és az őshonos kisebbségek védelme is az EU feladata kell legyen!

  Indrek Tarand (Verts/ALE), in writing. – As an MEP from Estonia, I personally know what Soviet or Russian occupation means and feels like. Believe me, it is not fun at all.

After 50 years of occupation, Estonia managed to regain independence and, through hard work, fortunately managed to join the European Union and NATO in 2004. Unfortunately, Ukraine did not share the same fate. Ukraine was duped, with the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, by a promise that if it got rid of its nuclear arsenal, the Russian Federation would honour its sovereignty. The UK and the USA promised to safeguard this pact.

In 2017, Ukraine is in a state of war with Russia, the UK and the USA did not safeguard the pact, the Crimean peninsula is occupied, Russia has arrested a vast number of Ukrainian political prisoners, Russia is restricting access to Crimea for the OSCE, the UN and the Council of Europe, and the Crimean Tatars are being oppressed. We in Europe need to understand that Russia will stop only when it is stopped.

Europe is strong, Europe is capable and Europe has the power to stop any repetition of Stalinist or Nazi German purges.