Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-12-15-Speech-4-215"
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"en.20051215.37.4-215"2
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".
Mr President, I am most grateful for this opportunity to give the Commission’s view on human rights in Russia. There are a number of issues which give us cause for concern and which we raise regularly with Russia within the framework of the existing strategic partnership.
Let me begin with Chechnya. We were glad that the elections took place there on 27 November, and that they took place without violence. Given the troubled history of this region that in itself is an achievement. We hope they will be a step in the process towards peaceful democracy there. However, there are a number of reports of irregularities, and we expect that these will be properly investigated.
But much more needs to be done if Chechnya is to progress to democratic stability. Although there appears to have been an improvement in the security situation, a culture of impunity remains. It is essential that the authorities fully investigate cases of disappearances and allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators, including members of the law enforcement authorities, to justice. Russia should also implement its expressed willingness to cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteurs. It is also important that the local ombudsman in Chechnya is seen to be carrying out his duties impartially and effectively.
I should also express our concern at the evidence of continuing harassment of NGOs including those receiving support from the European Community, such as the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society in Nizhny Novgorod. This also affects NGOs delivering humanitarian assistance under the ECHO programme.
In that context, I should draw attention to the proposal for amending Russian legislation on NGOs which is currently before the Duma. We have been concerned that it could make the operations of many NGOs, especially foreign ones, more difficult, and could therefore potentially jeopardise the Commission’s efforts to help build up civil society in Russia, as well as our humanitarian aid programme in Chechnya. The amendments have been presented as necessary to enforce Russia’s right to protect itself from terrorism. Of course, we respect that right, but action taken must be proportionate and must respect international commitments regarding civil society, notably those relating to the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
My colleague Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner raised these concerns with Foreign Minister Lavrov during the Russian Government’s visit to Brussels on 7 December. He expressed understanding and said that amendments would be made to the bill to address these issues. We were, therefore, pleased to note that changes to the draft law have now been sent from the presidential administration to the Duma and welcome the prior consultations held with the Council of Europe on the matter.
However, we remain concerned that the present draft law could still lead to constraints on the legitimate activities of NGOs. We urge the Russian Parliament, therefore, to use the second reading on 21 December to take the Council of Europe’s opinion fully into account. We will continue to follow this matter closely, including the implementation of any new law adopted.
Finally, let me say that we want to address these issues in a spirit of cooperation with Russia. The EU-Russia human rights consultations, which began this year, are now a regular feature of our dialogue and provide an opportunity for frank and open exchanges. In addition the Commission, as well as being the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the North Caucasus through ECHO, has agreed a EUR 20 million programme for socio-economic recovery there – a clear indication of our willingness to be actively involved in the process of strengthening democracy and stability in the region. We will continue to take all opportunities to contribute constructively to that process."@en1
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