WRITTEN QUESTION E-0218/04 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Practical measures under the EU's policy on Chechnya.
Date: 2004-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, censorship, common foreign and security policy, freedom of the press, human rights, self-sufficiency in energy

C 88 E/692

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0710)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0218/04

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Practical measures under the EU’s policy on Chechnya

(30 January 2004)

The European Union has with laudable consistency drawn attention to the issue of Chechnya in its
dialogue with Russia, but its criticisms of human rights violations have been confined to the context of
such discussions.

The human rights organisation Memorial, to cite but one source, has reported on inadequacies in the
investigation of serious human rights violations. Memorial knows of at least 2800 ‘disappearances’, of
which only 47 are known to have resulted in legal proceedings. The organisation knows of only three or
four cases in which soldiers have received long sentences.

How can the European Union do more to persuade the Russian leadership to permit freedom of action to
Members of the Duma and organs of the mass media that criticise the policy it has hitherto pursued on
Chechnya?

Does the Community’s dependence on energy imports from Russia restrict the EU’s freedom, in the field of
foreign policy, to exceed the bounds of the customary courtesy required by diplomacy?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2004)

Regrettably, the current conflict in Chechnya does not show signs of ‘normalisation’. Indeed, there are
disturbing reports of ongoing human rights violations and the security situation has if anything
deteriorated, spreading beyond the north Caucasus, since the constitutional referendum in March 2003.

The view of the Commission is that it is fundamental that the rule of law and full respect for human rights
(including media freedom) be restored in Chechnya, if a lasting solution to the conflict is to be found.
Amongst the specific issues which the Commission has raised with the Russian authorities is that of access
rights to Chechnya. It has done so in particular for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in
the provision of humanitarian aid, but the Commission is also concerned that it has become increasingly
difficult, if not impossible, for journalists to travel to the republic to report on the situation.

The Commission is acutely aware of the lack of reporting within Russia on the situation in Chechnya. In
addition to increased restrictions on the activities of Russian media outlets, including the closure of TVS,
the last remaining nationwide private television channel in 2003, many Russian journalists have observed
that the Russian media deliberately tones down criticism of Russian policy in Chechnya, for fear of
harassment by the authorities.

In these circumstances, the Commission considers that it is essential to hold an open and frank dialogue, in
order to underline the need for Russia to respect the values to which it is committed as a member of the
Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe, including respect for
human rights and media freedom. As set out in its recent Communication to the Council and to the
Parliament on relations with Russia,
the EU can influence
the Commission is of
developments in Russia if it is ready to take up difficult issues with the Russian authorities in a clear and
forthright manner. It is suggested that the EU as a whole confirm that shared European values remain the
basis for deepening relations and that the EU and its Member States raise vigorously and coherently their
concerns over the non-respect of human rights.

the view that

The Commission’s firm position on Russia’s human rights record is not in any way ‘restricted’ by its
economy or energy relationship with Russia.