Russia and Belarus have joined rallies

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Alexander Miridonov / Kommersant

The European Parliament has criticized Moscow and Minsk over human rights violations

The European Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution condemning the authorities of Russia and Belarus for human rights violations during the recent demonstrations. Deputies have demanded immediately to release the detained in the cities of the Russian Federation on 26 March and 2 April participants of the unsanctioned rallies, as well as Belarusians, released on 25 March on the so-called freedom Day. The European Parliament urged to oblige the Russian authorities to report back to Brussels on cases of human rights violations, and has threatened Minsk with new sanctions. However, if this threat is implemented, then only a slight extension of the black lists: according to Belarusian experts, the EU does not want to lose the contact with Minsk, fear further rapprochement with Moscow.

Members of the European Parliament yesterday by a large majority (494 for, with 39 against and 91 abstentions), condemned the crackdown on “anti-corruption marches and demonstrations in more than 80 cities of Russia on March 26” and held in Moscow a week later manifestation. They are urged to drop all charges against opposition leader Alexei Navalny and “all peaceful demonstrators, journalists, and activists.” “Freedom of Assembly — a right, not a privilege,” said the MPs. And shared their assessments of what happened in Moscow held an action they called “an encouraging sign that interest in social and political issues (in Russia.– “B”) has increased”.

According to the authors of the resolution, in the Russian legislation need to be amended because the existing laws unduly restrict freedom of Assembly. Was approved and the recommendation of the European external action service: asked her to oblige the representatives of the Russian Federation to report all cases of persecution in the country of persons for political reasons. To do this it is assumed in the framework of consultations on human rights between Russia and the EU, which, however, has long been frozen. Given the ongoing crisis in relations between Moscow and Brussels, on the resumption of these consultations is not yet mentioned.

“The mood of Parliament is obvious-it Russophobic. Why do we have to talk to people who are not looking for common ground, and once again trying to arrange a trial of our country?” – said “Kommersant”, first Deputy Chairman of the international Committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Jabbarov. He urged the European Parliament “to stop interfering in the Affairs of Russia” and “to have human rights in their countries, where migrant people are now afraid to go outside”. As for past meetings, according to Mr. dzhabarov, which was attended by “students who are still in politics and corruption do not understand.” “They just got sucked into mass marches, and the European Parliament is not interested”, – he said.

The most “friendly” towards the authorities of the Russian Federation was the fifth largest faction of the European Parliament-the “European United left / Left-green of the North” (GUE/NGL). In its draft resolution, the deputies expressed concern about the open rivalry between Russia and the EU, as well as the “propaganda war” between them. They criticized the placement of NATO infrastructure in the neighboring Russian countries. In addition, the left MPs pointed out double standards in Western policy: to ignore the authoritarian tendencies in Turkey and “war crimes committed by the US, Saudi Arabia and the EU in Iraq and Yemen,” and to impose sanctions against Russia. The document said that the restrictive measures are ineffective and only affect the population of Russia. However, none of these theses in the final draft resolution was not included.

“New sanctions against Russia is not necessary, although some colleagues at the European Parliament, of course, can find a new reason for doing so-said “Kommersant” member of European Parliament, GUE/NGL Scholz Helmut.– Understanding the necessity of revival of political dialogue between Russia and the EU, however, I can’t rule out the possibility of further cooling of bilateral relations.” While the source “b” supported the thesis of his colleagues that the cases of corruption in Russia should be thoroughly investigated, “Alexei Navalny and other Russian citizens, cannot be deprived of the right to freedom of expression”.

However, violations of the rights to Assembly and freedom of expression, as stated yesterday, the European Parliament, allows not only Russia. Simultaneously with the resolution on Russia adopted a similar document on the situation in Belarus, where 25 March was unauthorized demonstration against socio-economic policy of the authorities. According to deputies, “despite calls by the international community to show restraint, the reaction of the security forces of indiscriminate and disproportionate”. The European Parliament has called for a “thorough and impartial investigation of all reports of arbitrary detention and other violations of the rights of the protesters” and stressed “the obvious need for a broader process of democratization in the country.” And — unlike the resolution on Russia — threatened by the possible introduction of a “new restrictive measures against senior officials who are responsible for recent repression”.

According to the Director of the Belarusian Center for European integration Yuri Shevtsov, the sanctions, if they will, “not be too ambitious”, as “Belarus today is a very important element of regional security.” “The Ukrainian crisis remains in the country and spills into the entire region including through Belarus. Thus, for example, Polish society is the fear of Russia is so strong that the poles agree to Belarus by anyone’s rules, but would remain a buffer state. They are important to Belarus was developing as an independent country,” – said the source “b”. Excessive pressure on Minsk, according to Yuri Shevtsov, will provoke its further rapprochement with Moscow that the West is highly undesirable.

Pavel Tarasenko, Arina Halina

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