VP/HR — Abducted and murdered people in occupied Crimea, a case of Ervin Ibragimov
28.3.2017
Question for written answer E-002114-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR) , Kosma Złotowski (ECR)
Since the beginning of the occupation of Crimea by Russia, nearly 40 people have been abducted, and more than 10 of them have been found dead and around 15 are still missing[1] — mostly indigenous Crimean Tatar people. Moreover, the Russian Federation, as an occupying power with effective control over Crimea, has failed to take action to investigate these murders and abductions.
One of the victims is Ervin Ibragimov[2] who was abducted on 24 May 2016, presumably by the ‘traffic police’. We recently hosted his father Umer Ibragimov in the European Parliament where he testified about the details of the abduction. He has found a lot of information about his son’s abduction and his abductors, including a plate number for one of the cars that was involved. Before his abduction, Mr Ibragimov’s son had been threatened by local ‘authorities’ and had been followed. However the FSB has forbidden Umer Ibragimov to investigate his son’s disappearance.
In its resolution[3], the European Parliament calls for the investigation of all disappearances and kidnappings during the period of occupation of Crimea, including the case of Ervin Ibragimov.
1. Considering the above, what actions does the EU intend to take in imposing further sanctions on those responsible for murders and abductions, including the case of Ervin Ibragimov?
2. What support can the EU provide to intimidated and repressed lawyers and defenders of human rights in Crimea, such as Emil Kurbedinov?
- [1] According to human rights organisations and public sources.
- [2] Board Member of the Coordination Council of the World Congress of the Crimean Tatars.
- [3] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0087.