[EGP] EGP PRESS RELASE : EUROPEAN GREENS CALL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY AT EU-RUSSIA SUMMIT

16.05.2007

EUROPEAN GREENS DEMAND CRUCIAL QUESTIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND CHECHNYA ARE GIVEN PRIORITY AT EU-RUSSIA SUMMIT OR IT SHOULD BE POSTPONED

The Spokespersons of the European Green Party today called on the EU to give assurances that matters of substance will be given priority during the EU – Russia Summit , due to be held in the Russian city of Samara on Friday 18^th May .

EGP Co-Spokesperson Philippe Lamberts said: “For the EGP, the key issues which must be discussed are growing concern over recent human rights abuses in Russia and the toughening of the “extremist law” which dissidents fear will be used to further deprive them of their rights as citizens, as well as the brutal suppression of demonstrations, and continuing human rights violations in Chechnya. Also Russia’s attempts to thwart the progress of the UN resolution recommending “supervised independence” for Kosovo should be a topic for discussion. If these matters are not given priority, and crucially, if EU leaders do not frankly and clearly express criticism of Russia, we cannot see what useful purpose the summit will serve. In that case, it would be better to postpone the summit.”

EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike Lunacek added: “EU leaders and politicians often criticise human rights abuses in Russia when they are addressing the media in their home countries but then seem to be afraid to repeat these criticisms when they meet face to face with President Putin and members of his government. This type of hypocrisy is simply unacceptable and the EU leaders who are meeting with their Russian counterparts on Friday must not waste this ideal opportunity to stand up to Russia. The EU should not seek to enhance its “strategic partnership” with Russia until Russia has proved that it is a worthy partner by respecting fundamental democratic rights like freedom of opinion and of assembly of its citizens – which are, by the way, guaranteed in the Russian constitution. It is also unacceptable that Russia should attempt to put pressure on Poland by banning imports of Polish meat products. The EU must not bow to this pressure.”

Both Spokespersons continued “The EU must uphold democratic values and defend human rights and must not give economic interests and energy requirements priority over its responsibility to do so.” Lamberts and Lunacek continued. “The EU should also consider putting real pressure on Putin’s regime, for example, by threatening to impose travel visa restrictions on Russian government officials who are responsible for or have been actively involved in human rights abuses,” Lamberts and Lunacek concluded.

Graham Burgess

Communications Officer

European Green Party

Tel no: 0032 (0)2 626 0720

Mobile: 00 32 (0)477 902 023

Email: graham.burgess@europeangreens.org