MEPs urge new elections in Russia

PanARMENIAN.Net - European Parliament calls for new free and fair elections and an immediate and full investigation of all reports of fraud and intimidation in the Russian elections held on 4 December, and welcomes demonstrations in Russia as an expression of the will of the people in a resolution passed on Wednesday.

MEPs stress that the running of the election showed that Russia does not meet election standards as defined by the OSCE, and express deep concern about reports of fraud and the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR report on procedural violations, lack of media impartiality, harassment of independent monitors and lack of separation between party and state.

The resolution underlines that the registration process led to the exclusion of several opposition parties and has seriously undermined freedom of association, political competition and pluralism from the beginning. Parliament calls for new free and fair elections to be held after registration of all opposition parties.

MEPs welcome the demonstrations in Russia as an expression of the will of the Russian people for more democracy and condemn the crackdown by the police on peaceful demonstrations. Parliament calls for an immediate and full investigation of all reports of fraud and intimidation, and penalties for those found responsible.

Parliament calls on the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission and the EU foreign policy High Representative to raise the issue of the elections at the EU-Russia summit to be held on 15 December.

MEPs reiterate their concern about the human rights situation in Russia and the lack of rule of law and an independent judiciary. The resolution calls on the EU and Russia to speed up negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Parliament favours a legally-binding agreement that includes all areas related to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The resolution stresses the importance of stepping up the energy partnership with Russia, and reiterates that the supply of natural resources must not be used as a political tool.

Finally, the resolution stresses that international challenges, in particular with regard to Syria and Iran, cannot be solved without a coordinated approach which includes Russia, EP official website reported.