natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Riad al‑Turk was re‑arrested by the security forces on 1 September 2001 during a wider crackdown on government critics.
Riad al‑Turk was re‑arrested by the security forces on 1 September 2001 during a wider crackdown on government critics.
He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by the Supreme State Security Court on charges including "attempting to change the constitution by illegal means" on 26 June 2002.
He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by the Supreme State Security Court on charges including 'attempting to change the constitution by illegal means' on 26 June 2002.
The European Parliament urged the Syrian authorities to take serious account of the concerns expressed regarding the health of Riad al-Turk and called for his immediate release.
The European Parliament urged the Syrian authorities to take serious account of the concerns expressed regarding the health of Riad al-Turk and called for his immediate release.
Parliament pointed out the current process of an intense dialogue with the Syrian authorities with a view to concluding an association agreement and therefore called on the Council and the Commission to make representations to the Syrian authorities in an effort to secure the release of Riad al-Turk.
Parliament pointed out the current process of an intense dialogue with the Syrian authorities with a view to concluding an association agreement and therefore called on the Council and the Commission to make representations to the Syrian authorities in an effort to secure the release of Riad al-Turk.
Following a personal presidential amnesty he was released on 16 November 2002.
Following a personal presidential amnesty he was released on 16 November 2002.
- Human rights defenders in Egypt already subjected to repression in the past, have been made even more vulnerable since the promulgation of a new law on associations in June 2002.
- Human rights defenders in Egypt , already subjected to repression in the past, have been made even more vulnerable since the promulgation of a new law on associations in June 2002.
A prominent case was Mr Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Director of the Khaldoun Centre for Development Studies who had been sentenced, along with his 27 co-defendants, for the first time in May 2001 to seven years' imprisonment on charges of accepting EU funds without prior official authorisation.
A prominent case was Mr Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Director of the Khaldoun Centre for Development Studies who had been sentenced, along with his 27 co-defendants, for the first time in May 2001 to seven years' imprisonment on charges of accepting EU funds without prior official authorisation.
He was also charged with forgery of electoral cards, misappropriation of funds, and disseminating false information abroad contrary to the interests of Egypt.
He was also charged with forgery of electoral cards, misappropriation of funds, and disseminating false information abroad contrary to the interests of Egypt.
The judgement had been confirmed in a second trial by the Egyptian Supreme State Security Court on 29 July 2002.
The judgment had been confirmed in a second trial by the Egyptian Supreme State Security Court on 29 July 2002.
The situation raised grave concerns amongst national and international human rights organisations, and was denounced by all the actors of the international community, including the European Parliament that has followed the case closely.
The situation raised grave concerns amongst national and international human rights organisations, and was denounced by all the actors of the international community, including the European Parliament that has followed the case closely.
Independent audits gave no evidence of the alleged falsification of documents.
Independent audits gave no evidence of the alleged falsification of documents.
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU 30.07.2002 (11415/02 Presse 225).
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU 30.07.2002 (11415/02 Presse 225).
Mr Eddin Ibrahim was finally released upon a second decision of the Court of Appeal on 3 December 2002, waiting for the final and definitive verdict pronounced on 18 March 2003.
Mr Eddin Ibrahim was finally released upon a second decision of the Court of Appeal on 3 December 2002, pending for the final and definitive verdict pronounced on 18 March 2003.
Further examples of Parliament's attention to the situation of human rights activists who came under threat from the authorities of their countries were:
Further examples of Parliament's attention to the situation of human rights activists who came under threat from the authorities of their countries were:
- Mr Yannick Bigah, Chairman of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) from Togo who suffered harassment because of the contribution made by ACAT at a hearing organised by the European Parliament on the human rights situation in his country.
- Mr Yannick Bigah, Chairman of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) from Togo who suffered harassment because of the contribution made by ACAT at a hearing organised by the European Parliament on the human rights situation in his country.
Mr Bigah was forced to flee the country and other members of ACAT have been obliged to go underground.
Mr Bigah was forced to flee the country and other members of ACAT have been obliged to go underground.
Parliament called on the Togolese authorities to publish a statement in which they guarantee the safety of the members of ACAT – Togo and to ensure that they may freely pursue their activities in defence of human rights.
Parliament called on the Togolese authorities to publish a statement in which they guarantee the safety of the members of ACAT – Togo and to ensure that they may freely pursue their activities in defence of human rights.
P5_TA-PROV(2003)0131 adopted 8.4.2003.
P5_TA-PROV(2003)0131 adopted 8.4.2003.
- Mr Akin Birdal, President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD), sentenced in 1998 on the grounds that his speech during the World Day of Peace constituted an incitement to hatred, and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in 1998.
- Mr Akin Birdal, President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD), sentenced in 1998 on the grounds that his speech during the World Day of Peace constituted an incitement to hatred, and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in 1998.
After having been released on 25 September 1999 on health grounds, the Turkish courts decided on 30 March 2000 that he must serve the rest of this sentence in prison.
After having been released on 25 September 1999 on health grounds, the Turkish courts decided on 30 March 2000 that he must serve the rest of this sentence in prison.
The European Parliament condemned his re-imprisonment and insisted that the Turkish authorities release him immediately, moreover in view of the strict application of the Copenhagen political criteria in the applicant countries.
The European Parliament condemned his re-imprisonment and insisted that the Turkish authorities release him immediately, particularly in view of the strict application of the Copenhagen political criteria in the applicant countries.
Akin Birdal was finally released in September 2000.
Akin Birdal was finally released in September 2000.
- Flora Brovina, the Albanian doctor and human rights campaigner, who was sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment in February 2000 by a court in the Serbian city of Nis.
- Flora Brovina, the Albanian doctor and human rights campaigner, who was sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment in February 2000 by a court in the Serbian city of Nis.
The European Parliament appealed to the Serbian government to immediately release Mrs Brovina, who was in poor health.
The European Parliament appealed to the Serbian government to immediately release Mrs Brovina, who was in poor health.
In addition, it called on the Council to take a decisive initiative with a view to exerting strong pressure on the Belgrade authorities and obtaining the release of Albanian Kosovar political prisoners.
In addition, it called on the Council to take a decisive initiative with a view to exerting strong pressure on the Belgrade authorities and obtaining the release of Albanian Kosovar political prisoners.
On the orders of the newly elected President Kostunica she was released on 1 November 2000.
On the orders of the newly elected President Kostunica she was released on 1 November 2000.
Three weeks later the European Parliament's delegation for relations with south-eastern Europe held a meeting with Mrs Brovina in Brussels.
Three weeks later the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with South-Eastern Europe held a meeting with Mrs Brovina in Brussels.
Parliament called on the Indonesian Government for their immediate release and for protection of human rights defenders and to allow the UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders to visit the province of Aceh.
Parliament called on the Indonesian Government for their immediate release and for protection of human rights defenders and to allow the UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders to visit the province of Aceh.
P5_TA(2003)0271 adopted 5.6.2003.
P5_TA(2003)0271 adopted 5.6.2003.
On 1 July 2002, a five-year prison term was handed down to Mr Nazar, who is still in prison.
On 1 July 2002, a five-year prison term was handed down to Mr Nazar, who is still in prison.
Mr Kautsa was acquitted of all charges and released in November 2001, after he had spent four months in detention.
Mr Kautsa was acquitted of all charges and released in November 2001, after he had spent four months in detention.
- Arjan Erkel, the head of the Medecins Sans Frontiers mission in Dagestan, who was abducted on 12 August 2002.
- Arjan Erkel, the head of the Médecins Sans Frontiers mission in Dagestan, who was abducted on 12 August 2002.
Parliament called on the Russian authorities to step up their efforts to find and free Mr Erkel.
Parliament called on the Russian authorities to step up their efforts to find and free Mr Erkel.
P5_TA(2003)0335 adopted 3.7.2003.
P5_TA(2003)0335 adopted 3.7.2003.
President Cox wrote to the Russian Ambassador to the EU about the case and met with representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières.
President Cox wrote to the Russian Ambassador to the EU about the case and met with representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières.
JOURNALISTS AND SCIENTISTS
JOURNALISTS AND SCIENTISTS
Cases of journalists, mainly from independent media, or cases of scientists who have been detained and questioned concerning alleged defamation and/or crimes against the security of the state were brought up by Parliament in its resolutions on various countries.
Cases of journalists, mainly from independent media, or cases of scientists who have been detained and questioned concerning alleged defamation and/or crimes against the security of the state were brought up by Parliament in its resolutions on various countries.
Parliament takes the view that the EU must be vigilant on behalf of citizens persecuted or imprisoned for their scientific, environmental or humanitarian commitments or positions, in the same way as political prisoners.
Parliament takes the view that the EU must be vigilant on behalf of citizens persecuted or imprisoned for their scientific, environmental or humanitarian commitments or positions, in the same way as political prisoners.
P5_TA-PROV(2003)0375, para 47, adopted 4.9.2003.
P5_TA-PROV(2003)0375, para 47, adopted 4.9.2003.
Some of the most striking cases which have been raised by Parliament are listed below.
Some of the most striking cases which have been raised by Parliament are listed below.
- The case of Grigory Pasko was highly symbolic of restrictions on the right to freedom of speech in Russia.
- The case of Grigory Pasko was highly symbolic of restrictions on the right to freedom of speech in Russia.
Grigory Pasko, a military reporter was convicted of treason on 25 December 2001 and sentenced to four years' imprisonment in a work camp in Vladivostok for bringing to light the brewing nuclear disaster represented by the Russian Navy's ageing Pacific fleet and its negligent waste disposal practices.
Grigory Pasko, a military reporter, was convicted of treason on 25 December 2001 and sentenced to four years' imprisonment in a work camp in Vladivostok for bringing to light the brewing nuclear disaster represented by the Russian Navy's ageing Pacific fleet and its negligent waste disposal practices.
In its resolution on his verdict, the EP urged the Russian authorities to release Grigory Pasko immediately, halting further judicial proceedings, and expressed its hope to see positive steps by President Putin.
In its resolution on his verdict, the EP urged the Russian authorities to release Grigory Pasko immediately, halting further judicial proceedings, and expressed its hope to see positive steps by President Putin.
Parliament called on the Council to express the EU's deepest concern and its sympathy with the imprisoned journalist and to put the subject of Freedom of the Media at the top of the agenda for the next EU-Russia meetings.
Parliament called on the Council to express the EU's Deepest concern and its sympathy with the imprisoned journalist and to put the subject of freedom of the media at the top of the agenda for the next EU-Russia meetings.
These amendments have opened the gates to the Presidium for Grigory Pasko who was granted a parole release on 23 January 2003.
These amendments have opened the gates to the Presidium for Grigory Pasko who was granted a parole release on 23 January 2003.
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has taken on Pasko's case and is expected to reach a decision by the end of 2003.
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has taken on Pasko's case and is expected to reach a decision by the end of 2003.
Among those rights spelled out by the European Convention on Human Rights that were violated in the Pasko case are - the right to the determination of criminal charges within a reasonable time; the right to a fair trial; defences against being tried retroactively and under too extensive an interpretation of existing legislation; and the right to freedom of expression.
Among these rights spelled out by the European Convention on Human Rights that were violated in the Pasko case are the right to the determination of criminal charges within a reasonable time, the right to a fair trial, defence against being tried retroactively and under too extensive an interpretation of existing legislation, and the right to freedom of expression.
- Alexander Nikitin, a Russian engineer, was charged in 1996 with high treason and divulging state secrets for co-authoring a report for the Norwegian-based Bellona Foundation that documented the environmental dangers posed by the abandoned nuclear submarines of the Russian Northern Fleet in the Kola Peninsula.
- Alexander Nikitin, a Russian engineer, was charged in 1996 with high treason and divulging state secrets for co-authoring a report for the Norwegian-based Bellona Foundation that documented the environmental dangers posed by the abandoned nuclear submarines of the Russian Northern Fleet in the Kola Peninsula.
The Parliament asked the Russian authorities to guarantee Nikitin an impartial and public trial and to dismiss the charges against him based on secret retroactive decrees, the application of which was contrary to the Russian Constitution.
Parliament asked the Russian authorities to guarantee Nikitin an impartial and public trial and to dismiss the charges against him based on secret retroactive decrees, the application of which was contrary to the Russian Constitution.
The St. Petersburg City Court acquitted Alexandr Nikitin in December 1999.
The St. Petersburg City Court acquitted Alexander Nikitin in December 1999.
But only after the Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal of the Prosecutor General on this decision in September 2000, the criminal case against Nikitin was brought to a close after five long years.
But only after the Supreme Court had dismissed the appeal of the Prosecutor-General on this decision in September 2000 was the criminal case against Nikitin brought to a close after five long years.
- Andrei Babitsky, the Radio Liberty Reporter, was another case of a journalist who came under threat in Russia.
- Andrei Babitsky, the Radio Liberty Reporter, was another case of a journalist who came under threat in Russia.
The journalist had been covering the war in Chechnya before he was detained at a Russian checkpoint on 16 January 2000 and was then supposedly handed over by the Russian authorities to Chechen commanders in exchange for two Russian prisoners of war.
The journalist had been covering the war in Chechnya before he was detained at a Russian checkpoint on 16 January 2000 and was then supposedly handed over by the Russian authorities to Chechen commanders in exchange for two Russian prisoners of war.
Mr Babitsky, alleged to have been involved with armed groups faced a prison sentence of up to five years if found guilty.
Mr Babitsky, alleged to have been involved with armed groups, faced a prison sentence of up to five years if found guilty.
Parliament called on the Russian authorities to ensure that Russian and international journalists can work in Chechnya without constraints and asked to provide a full account of the journalist's disappearance.
Parliament called on the Russian authorities to ensure that Russian and international journalists can work in Chechnya without constraints and asked to provide a full account of the journalist's disappearance.
The European Parliament considers that scientists such as Professor Bandazhevsky who are critical of officialdom should not be prosecuted under criminal law for their publications and sentenced to disproportionately lengthy terms of imprisonment.
The European Parliament considers that scientists such as Professor Bandazhevsky who are critical of officialdom should not be prosecuted under criminal law for their publications and sentenced to disproportionately lengthy terms of imprisonment.
The European Parliament called on President Loukachenko to ensure that his case was reviewed by an independent commission and refers, in this connection, to the fact that the published results of the professor's work received international acknowledgement.
The European Parliament called on President Loukachenko to ensure that his case was reviewed by an independent commission and refers, in this connection, to the fact that the published results of the professor's work received international acknowledgement.
- The case of Sergei Duvanov, a leading independent journalist and editor of a human rights bulletin in Kazakhstan has attracted major attention.
- The case of Sergei Duvanov, a leading independent journalist and editor of a human rights bulletin in Kazakhstan has attracted major attention.
Sergei Duvanov was arrested on 28 October 2002 on charges relating to sexual offences with a minor which were based on dubious evidence.
Sergei Duvanov was arrested on 28 October 2002 on charges relating to sexual offences with a minor which were based on dubious evidence.
He has been sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment despite many irregularities in the investigation and a lack of adequate legal defence during this trial.
He has been sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment despite many irregularities in the investigation and a lack of adequate legal defence during his trial.
Parliament expressed its great concern over the investigation, trial and sentencing of Sergei Duvanov and called for his immediate release as well as for an independent investigation into the case.
Parliament expressed its great concern over the investigation, trial and sentencing of Sergei Duvanov and called for his immediate release as well as for an independent investigation into the case.
P5_TA(2003)0064 adopted 13.2.2003, P5_TA(2003)0467 adopted 23.10.2003.
P5_TA(2003)0064 adopted 13.2.2003, P5_TA(2003)0467 adopted 23.10.2003.
The EU had followed the course of the events leading up to the trial of Mr Duvanov over several months, including through the attendance of an EU observer throughout the proceedings.
The EU had followed the course of the events leading up to the trial of Mr Duvanov over several months, including through the attendance of an EU observer throughout the proceedings.
The EU declared that the trial could not be considered fair according to OSCE standards.
The EU declared that the trial could not be considered fair according to OSCE standards.
All the shortcomings raise concerns over the guilty verdict passed on Sergei Duvanov, and must also pose wider questions about the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
All the shortcomings raise concerns over the guilty verdict passed on Sergei Duvanov, and must also pose wider questions about the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
The EU welcomed the offer by Kazakhstan to provide access to case materials concerning Mr Duvanov to professional jurists sent by the OSCE and will follow this up as soon as possible.
The EU welcomed the offer by Kazakhstan to provide access to case materials concerning Mr Duvanov to professional jurists sent by the OSCE and will follow this up as soon as possible.
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union, 14 February 2003 6375/03 (Presse 45) P 18/03.
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union, 14 February 2003 6375/03 (Presse 45) P 18/03.
- Mr Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament, together with four other members of the Transnational Radical Party was arrested in Laos, on 26 October 2001 and imprisoned for fourteen days in particularly harsh conditions, with no contact with diplomatic representatives of their respective countries.
- Mr Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament, together with four other members of the Transnational Radical Party , was arrested in Laos on 26 October 2001 and imprisoned for 14 days in particularly harsh conditions, with no contact with diplomatic representatives of their respective countries.
The MEP and his four companions were detained on the grounds of a non-violent demonstration in favour of democracy and reconciliation in Laos organised on the occasion of the second anniversary of the "26 October 1999 Mouvement", whose principal leaders have disappeared and of whom no news has been forthcoming since that date.
The MEP and his four companions were detained on the grounds of a non-violent demonstration in favour of democracy and reconciliation in Laos organised on the occasion of the second anniversary of the '26 October 1999 Movement', whose principal leaders have disappeared and of whom no news has been forthcoming since that date.
P5_TA(2003)0340 adopted 3.7.2003.
P5_TA(2003)0340 adopted 3.7.2003.
The Belgian journalist, Mr Thierry Falise, and Mr Vincent Reynaud, a French cameraman, were arrested together with their Laotian escorts while producing a report on the Hmong, who were allied to the US during the Vietnam war and have a long history of resistance and aspirations to independence vis-à-vis the Laotian government.
The Belgian journalist, Mr Thierry Falise, and Mr Vincent Reynaud, a French cameraman, were arrested together with their Laotian escorts while producing a report on the Hmong, who were allied to the US during the Vietnam war and have a long history of resistance and aspirations to independence vis-à-vis the Laotian government.
After having been sentenced to fifteen years in prison on charges of 'obstructing an official in the performance of this duties', in a trial which failed to respect the defendants' rights, the two Europeans and their Laotian interpreter were released on 9 July 2003.
After having been sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of 'obstructing an official in the performance of his duties', in a trial which failed to respect the defendants' rights, the two Europeans and their Laotian interpreter were released on 9 July 2003.
The three other Laotians still remain in prison.
The three other Laotians still remain in prison.