Hannes Swoboda, President of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, has voiced grave concerns about developments in Russia under the renewed presidency of Vladimir Putin. For the European Socialists and Democrats two points are currently of crucial importance: Russia's role in blocking United Nations action in Syria and the lack of respect for fundamental rights in Russia itself.

 

"With the return of Vladimir Putin to the presidency, our worst fears on the further deterioration of fundamental rights in Russia seem to be confirmed. It is not only the opposition organisations outside parliament that are suffering; the MPs from the A Just Russia party in the Duma are also under enormous pressure.

 

"The independent European foundations, that represent an important pillar of Russian civil society, are also to be subjected to controls and restrictions. We cannot accept this."

 

 

"The European Union must speak out strongly against the worsening human rights situation and position itself clearly. Russia under Putin does not show any interest in furthering democracy and the rule of law, in terms of domestic developments as well as regarding foreign affairs, as seen in the case of Syria.

 

"Particularly grave and cynical is the way the young women of the punk band 'Pussy Riot', some of whom are mothers, are being treated. Prolonging their detention for another six months clearly shows the brutality of the Russian justice system, which increasingly obeys political rather than legal rules."

 

 

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Associated media

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