Vijfde ronde bespreking EU-Rusland over mensenrechten (en)

The European Union and the Russian Federation held the fifth round of their intergovernmental Consultations on human rights issues yesterday (3 May). The meeting, which took place in an open and constructive atmosphere, covered the human rights situation in the EU and Russia as well as issues relating to the international protection of human rights.

At yesterday's meeting, the EU raised a number of specific concerns about the human rights situation in Russia, in particular regarding freedom of opinion and assembly, above all in the run-up to the parliamentary and presidential elections. Other concerns raised related to freedom of the press, the position of Russian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society following the entry into force of the law on NGO activities and the counter-extremism law, as well as respect for the rule of law and the situation in Chechnya. The two sides also discussed the issue of combating torture and maltreatment.

At Russia's request, the EU provided details of current developments in various EU Member States.

The discussions also focused on the international human rights obligations of the EU and Russia, including cooperation with UN human rights special procedures. Cooperation within the Council of Europe, e.g. on the implementation of its decisions and recommendations, including judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, was likewise discussed.

In keeping with its policy to closely involve civil society in the debate on human rights, the EU delegation met representatives of Russian NGOs the day before the EU-Russian consultations.

The EU Troika was led for the German Presidency by Günter Nooke, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office. Riina Kionka, the Personal Representative of the EU High Representative Javier Solana for Human Rights, Gunnar Wiegand, acting head of the European Commission Directorate for Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asian Republics, and Susana Vaz Patto, head of the human rights section of the forthcoming Portuguese Council Presidency, also took part in the talks.

The Russian delegation was led by Oleg Malginov, Director of the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Human Rights Consultations between the EU and Russia took place for the first time in Luxembourg in March 2005. The aim of the Consultations is to discuss issues related to human rights and fundamental freedoms in a constructive and open atmosphere. The next regular Consultations are planned to take place in Russia under the Portuguese EU Presidency.

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Date: 04.05.2007