On Thursday 16 March, 2017, during the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, a debate on Ukrainian political prisoners and situation in Crimea was held. After the discussion, an urgent resolution was adopted.
The continued politically motivated prosecution of Ukrainian citizens in Russia and occupied Crimea, attracted the attention of the Members of the European Parliament, who called on Russia to immediately release detained persons, and to adhere to its international human rights obligations.
- Video: Mr Tunne Kelam (Estonia, European People’s Party) on “Let My People Go” international advocacy campaign
- Video: Ms Julie Ward (United Kingdom, Socialists and Democrats) on “Let My People Go” international advocacy campaign
- Video: Mrs Marju Lauristin (Estonia, Socialists and Democrats) on “Let My People Go” international advocacy campaign
- Video: Mr Dariusz Rosati (Poland, European People’s Party) on personal sanctions against Russia
- Video: Ms Soraya Post (Finland, Socialists and Democrats) on persecution of the Ukrainian citizens
- Video: Mrs Anna Fotyga (Poland, European Conservatives and Reformists) on persecution of the Ukrainian citizens
- Video: Mr Charles Tannock (United Kingdom, European Conservatives and Reformists) on persecution of the Ukrainian citizens
- Video: Mr Doru-Claudian Frunzulica (Romania, Socialists and Democrats) on persecution of the Ukrainian citizens
- Video: Ms Michaela Sojdrova (the Czech Republic/Czechia, European People’s Party) on persecution of the Ukrainian citizens
The plenary session debate with the urgent resolution were the result of a high-level event at the European Parliament in Brussels dedicated to the topic, organised within the “Let My People Go” international advocacy campaign on Tuesday, 27 February 2017, by the Open Dialog Foundation, Center for Civil Liberties, Members of the European Parliament Ms Julie Ward (United Kingdom, Socialists and Democrats) and Mrs Marju Lauristin (Estonia, Socialists and Democrats), as well as the Mission of Ukraine to the EU.
The recent statements of the international organizations and other human rights NGOs on the Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and situation in occupied Crimea are available below:
The Open Dialog Foundation and the Center for Civil Liberties statement
MEP Julie Ward press statement
ALDE political group press statement
EPP political group press statement