On the EU-Russia consultations on human rights. Reports

We present you the reports of Russian human rights organizations which were discussed during a round of EU-Russia consultations on human rights (May 25-26, 2009).

The official press-release of EU:

On 26 May 2009, the European Union and the Russian Federation held the ninth round of human rights consultations in Brussels.

The human rights consultations between the EU and the Russian Federation took place for the first time in March 2005.

The consultations were held in an open, engaging and constructive atmosphere.

At the consultations the EU and Russia continued to address human rights situation and developments in their respective countries, with a particular focus on the functioning of civil society, rule of law and judiciary reform, protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism and the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination. The EU also raised a number of concerns related to specific human rights issues in the Russian Federation. These included freedom of media, expression and assembly, the rights of persons belonging to minorities, situation of human rights defenders, the rule of law and the need to respect human rights while countering terrorism.

The EU also provided answers on Russia’s concerns about certain human rights issues in the EU including with regards to the fight against racism and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Both sides will continue to provide clarifications on individual cases of concern in the respective countries.

During the working lunch both sides discussed human rights cooperation within different international organisations, in particular the UN Human Rights Council and the Council of Europe. They agreed that the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights shall be implemented fully and in a timely manner.

In keeping with the EU’s practice of incorporating the voice of civil society into its meetings on human rights with third countries, the EU met representatives of Russian and international NGOs prior to the consultations.

The next regular human rights consultations are planned to take place in the autumn under the Swedish EU Presidency.

List of the reports:

1) Center for the Development of Democracy. Situation of NGOs and Freedom of Association in Russia: latest developments (ENG)
2) For Human Rights. Victimization, violence and murders - Against Civil Society in Russia. (RUS, ENG)                                                                                                                                                                                                      
3) Independent Council of Legal Expertise. Independence of the Judiciary. Prospects of the Judicial Reform. (ENG)
4) JURIX. Institutes for Human Rights Protection, Created by the State. (ENG)
5) Mass Media Defence Centre. Freedom of expression and media situation in Russia: current trends and problems (ENG)                                                                                                                                                                             
6) Memorial. The Situation in the Conflict Zone of the North Caucasus. (RUS, ENG)                                                                                                                                                                                         
7) Mothers of Dagestan. Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Dagestan.doc (ENG)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
8) Public Verdict Foundation. Crisis of the Law Enforcement System in Russia. The Problem of Torture and Cruel Treatment by the Police. (RUS, ENG)                                                                                                                                                                              
9) SOVA. Brief update on racism and abusive anti-extremism. A brief update on racism and abusive anti-extremism since the past consultations. (RUS, ENG)

For more information (in Russian) and for the full texts of the reports visit Memorial site: http://www.memo.ru/2009/05/29/2905095.htm

May 29, 2009