ALDE Press ReleaseFollowing on the initiative by ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), a debate on the rule of law in Russia was held this week in the European Parliament.
Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE President,
"We have been put under pressure from Russia not to have this debate, it is not for Russia to decide the agenda of the European Parliament, it is for our democratically elected members. On the subject of rule of Law in Russia, Kristiina Ojuland, (Eesti Reformierakond, Estonia), Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee told Parliament that Russian authorities are blatantly enforcing "unconstitutional law and order".
She continued
"We consider Russia to be an important partner to the EU; therefore we expect Russia to respect her international obligations and protect the constitutional rights of her citizens. Violations of human rights, civil liberties as well as the rule of law have become commonplace in Russia. It is hard to envisage foreign or domestic business investments in such climate."Continue reading here:
http://www.alde.eu/press/press... 