European Parliament calls on EU to intensify sanctions against Russia over repressions in Crimea
The European Parliament (EP) has called on the European Union (EU) to expand the list of economic and personal sanctions against Russia and those involved in the persecution of the Crimean Tatars, as well as other Ukrainian hostages of the Kremlin.
The corresponding item is included in drafts of five registered resolutions of the legislative body of the EU concerning the cases of Crimean Tatar leaders Akhtem Chiygoz, Ilmi Umerov and journalist Mykola Semena, Ukrinform reports.
"The European Parliament once again notes that the EU sanctions against Russia imposed due to the illegal annexation of Crimea will remain until the sovereignty of Ukraine over Crimea is restored. The EP also calls on the EU Council to work out the next package of sanctions against Russia, which will be activated if Russia refuses to stop persecuting the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars and continues to commit other human rights violations in the Crimea," the draft resolution reads.
In addition, the European deputies plan to urge the EU Council to expand its personal economic sanctions and impose a visa ban on persons responsible for fabricating political cases and illegal sentences in the annexed Crimea.
The draft document also requires the leadership of the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally release all Ukrainian political hostages illegally imprisoned in Crimea and on Russian territory, to cancel all accusations brought against them, and to stop repression against the Crimean Tatars.
The draft resolution, which was presented by the political group of European conservatives and reformists, also demands the release of Roman Sushchenko, a journalist for Ukrinform, who has been detained and kept in Moscow for political reasons.
European conservatives and reformists also supported the creation of an international negotiating platform in their document, with the aim of the de-occupation of the Crimea.
The EP members also remind Moscow of its full responsibility as an occupying power for the observance of human rights in the Crimea, and require the admission of international monitoring groups on the territory of the peninsula, in particular under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
The European Parliament will again support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will note the inviolability of the policy of non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea by Russia.
The debate on human rights violations in the Russian-annexed Crimea and subsequent vote of the relevant resolution will be held on October 5 in Strasbourg.
On October 2 in the Crimea, security officials detained three Crimean Tatars.