EU/Russian Federation human rights consultations
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.
Contact:
- Milan Řepka, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- tel.: +420 224 182 426, GSM: +420 724 034 154; e-mail: milan_repka@mzv.cz
Last update: 28.5.2009 15:18
