MEPs debate Mr Navalny’s death with Commission and Belgian Presidency representatives. They are expected to condemn the Russian regime and President Vladimir Putin, and discuss the dangerous situation facing opposition figures, journalists and human rights defenders in Russia. Mathieu MICHEL for the Council - Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation, in charge of Administrative Simplification, Privacy and Buildings Administration and by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

SIMSON, Kadri (EE, EC)

NAVALNY, Alexei (RU)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2021 (T)

MICHEL, Mathieu (BE)

The murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU support to political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia: opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary and Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

SOUNDBITE (English), Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary, Dear chair, honourable members. Commissioner. It is an emotional day today. The European Union is outraged by the death of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which the ultimate responsibility lies with President Putin and the Russian authorities. Our thoughts are with his wife, Julia Navalnaya who honored this chamber with her presence today, his family and with all those in Russia and beyond who believe in a democracy and peaceful future for Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary, Alexei Navalny gave hopes to democracy and civil society in Russia, which is why so many people from all over the country join his actions and listen to his messages of another Russia. We will honour his memory as a freedom fighter. Russia must allow an independent and transparent international investigation into circumstances of his sudden death. We also repeat international calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all other political prisoners held in similar horrific conditions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary, Yulia Navalnaya was also present at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting last week. She thanked the EU for strong statements and support over the last three years. Her words were also a call for further actions. The EU will spare no effort to hold Russia political leadership and authorities to account in close coordination with our partners, including through further sanctions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary, The EU global human rights sanctions regime enables the EU to address human rights violations and abuses around the world. It signals to EU strong determination to stand up for human rights. Through this regime, the EU is sending a clear message. There is a cost to serious human rights violations and abuses. Those listed are banned from entering the EU and have their assets frozen. Sanctions are part of a wider policy in order to bring about a change in conduct from those responsible. They are an important part of our response, albeit not the only one.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary, The EU supports and reviews civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent journalists inside and outside Russia. EU support is crucial for those organisations to ensure legal defence for political prisoners, including citizens participating in demonstrations against the war on Ukraine. To all supporters of Mr. Navalny who feel that they have lost hope following his death, I reassure you that the EU will continue to use its communication channels and international human rights to reiterate our unique ethical position on the situation in Russia. Thank you for your attention.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, President, Honourable members of the European Parliament. On 16th February, we received very sad reports by the state controlled Russian media of the sudden death of the Russian opposition politician and anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny in in Siberia. His tragic and unnecessary death was confirmed by his family and lawyer when they arrived the following day, this inhumane and criminal court only reminding us of dark Soviet times.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Let me once again, on behalf of the European Union, express my deepest condolences to Mister Navalny's family, children and friends and all those who worked with him for the benefit of their country. We admire the bravery of Mr. Navalny. The EU has repeatedly called on the Russian authorities for his immediate and unconditional release, pointing to the dangerous conditions where he and other Russian political prisoners are held.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Our colleagues in Moscow have tried in vain to reach out to Russian authorities on his case. They have been observing the politically motivated court hearings in Moscow through his life. Alexei Navalny demonstrated incredible courage and determination through his anti-corruption work across Russia, spreading a message that inspired many, especially young people. He represented the possibility of a different Russia. In October 2020, the EU was the first to adopt sanctions to respond to the assassination attempt of Mr. Navalny after he was poisoned with a toxic nerve agent.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Moreover, the very first listings in March 2021, adopted under the EU global human rights sanctions regime are also related to the case of Mr. Navalny. Since then, we have further expanded our sanctions addressing his case, and we will continue to do so in response to his death. These sanctions are also meant to complement other tools the EU's substantial support of civil society, human rights defenders and independent media inside and outside Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, The EU is committed to continue supporting NGOs, civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent journalists. Russian NGOs receive support from the EU, for example for legal defence for political prisoners, including citizens participating in anti-war demonstrations. Russian human rights defenders also receive support for temporary relocation trainings and urgent practical assistance, and for monitoring the human rights situation in Russia.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, The EU supports Russian language independent media and journalists. We will continue keeping the international pressure on Russia for the human rights violations and supporting individuals, including through trial observation. Mr. Navalny's death makes us even more committed to continue this essential support. Honourable members, we join international calls by the UN Secretary-General and other UN bodies in Russia to allow for a full, transparent and credible investigation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, We also urge Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all other political prisoners. Mr. Navalny death is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia. Our answer will be our continued and substantial support to Russian civil society, human rights defenders and independent media inside and outside Russia, and to hold those responsible of Navalny's death. Thank you.