During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law such as the situation in Chechnya, and the case of Oyub Titiev, the situation in Zimbabwe and the Women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. Statements by Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), and Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR).

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Author, This is just a sham case. Oyub Titiev, he could be endangered too ten years of prison. And when we see the situation of Chechnya ,this calls the situation of Natalia Estemirova who was murdered.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Author, We encourage the European External Action Service to address this case. And we also say to the Russian authorities drop these charges and let this man out of prison.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Author, Today we call for the release of Oyub Titiev and of the dropping of charges and we urge Chechen authorities to respect their own laws and constitution and at least every citizen's human and legal rights. The harassment of NGO and journalists really has to stop, but we also need to hold to account the perpetrators of the worst human rights violations through European Magnitsky Act. It is urgent.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), The Russian Federal authorities have so far failed to investigate the extrajudicial killing of twenty seven men two years ago and Titiev, Head of the Chechen Memorial office remains in pre-trial detention a year after his arrest. Russia has international commitments to protect Human rights defenders and they should take heed of the OSCE report that calls forMr. Tietiv's trial to be moved out of Chechnya and for him to be released immediately.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia MALMSTR&#214;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, A report by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe set out clear evidence of successive perches against LGBT people in Chechnya as well as many other human rights violations. It is essential that Russian authorities address the recommendations of the report and take steps to implement them including investigations of the role of the Chechen authorities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK), Author, I want to appeal directly to President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe. Six months ago President when you took office you promised change and a bright shared future for all Zimbabweans with a government unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law with policies that would protect harmony and stability and attract foreign investment. I urge you to get back on that right road to break clean from the evil forces lurking in your shadow, to dismiss those responsible for the recent brutalities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), Author , Zimbabweans and their human rights defenders have the courage to stand up to their government and we need to stand with them. Fleeing Zimbabweans must get the assistance they need in neighboring countries to comply with international law and to the UK, I say stop returning Zimbabweans till it's proved to be safe.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Author, There's an urgent need to provide assistance to political dialogue. The European Union African Union must help rather than closing their eyes like so many others.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia MALMSTR&#214;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Our head of delegation in Harare met high level representatives of the government including Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Justice to express our deep concerns and to urge the authorities to behave in full compliance with their constitutional obligations. And in Brussels a meeting with the ambassador of Zimbabwe was convened by the EEAS in the same context. In economic hard times demonstrations should be expected Human Rights and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe should be upheld.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Author, These laws and the repressive culture surrounding them are making the everyday lives of Saudi women unbearable. These measures are often defended by the authorities as being rooted in Wahhabi religious norms. Yet when we look to its neighbors in the Gulf like the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain it's plain for all to see that the laws in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are significantly more restrictive.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Author, There is an online service provided by the Saudi government 'Absher' (the Preacher) accessible via Google and Apple which allows a husband to control the movements of his wife, if they try to travel without their permission, which happens to thousands of women every year. Women's rights defenders were tortured, flogged, subjected to electric shock treatment just by calling for women's rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia MALMSTR&#214;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, A successful implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030, the cornerstone of Saudi reforms, holds an important role for women, their greater empowerment would bring enormous benefits socially and economically. We will continue in the European Union to follow with great concern several other cases of activists allegedly facing the risk of imminent execution on charges related to the exercise of some fundamental rights of freedom including freedom of association of speech and of religion.

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

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Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

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EU - Saudi Arabia