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Russia: Statement By High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP Plenary

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.10.2023
Strasbourg
EEAS Press Team

Speech delivered by Commissioner in charge of Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

Check against delivery!

Thank you Chair, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

The human rights situation in Russia is a long-standing concern and I would like to start by thanking the European Parliament for its work to shed light on it and for its support to Russian human rights defenders.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova, in her recent report notes that the situation has significantly deteriorated since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and recalls the human rights violations and abuses and the continued impunity in Chechnya.

Let me highlight three points as regards the European Union's position.

First, the [European] Union has repeatedly expressed concern about the human rights violations in Chechnya pointing out the prevailing impunity for those crimes, harassment and repression of Chechen human rights defenders and their relatives, and the inaction of the Russian authorities.

Second, the [European] Union calls on the Russian authorities to immediately release Ms Musaeva and to ensure a thorough, impartial and independent investigation of her case and her right to a fair trial.

The sentence of Zarema Musaeva is politically motivated. We have raised her case immediately when she was violently detained and forcefully transferred to Chechnya in early 2022. Ms Musaeva and her family have faced repeated intimidation and threats, following the criticism that her sons have voiced towards Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Third, we urge the Russian authorities to end the persecution of all human rights defenders and their family members and immediately release those detained under politically motivated charges. All cases of extrajudicial executions, torture and other grave human rights violations committed over the last years must be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

The Russian authorities must respect the rule of law, Russia's own Constitution and uphold Russia's obligations under international law. Russia must abandon its oppressive legislation used to suppress civil society and independent voices.

Let me conclude by stressing that the [European] Union will continue to support Russian human rights defenders and civil society actors inside and outside Russia.