On the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia

B90154/2024

European Parliament resolution on the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia

(2024/2579(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Alexei Navalny, in particular of 17 September 2020 on the situation in Russia: the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, of 21 January 2021 on the arrest of Alexei Navalny, of 16 February 2023 on the recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexei Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia, and of 20 April 2023 on repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Alexei Navalny,

– having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU of 19 February 2024 on the death of Alexei Navalny,

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the death of 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny was reported by Russian authorities on 16 February 2024; whereas the Russian authorities have not yet provided information about the exact causes and circumstances of his death, and his family was only allowed to recover his body for a medical investigation and funeral on 24 February 2024;

B. whereas Alexei Navalny had been in detention since 17 January 2021 when he returned to Russia following medical rehabilitation as a result of an attempted state-sponsored assassination through the use of the internationally banned nerve agent Novichok; whereas he had previously been detained and arrested many times and sentenced on fabricated and politically-motivated grounds to disproportionately long prison sentences, in evident attempts to stop his political activities and anti-corruption campaigns; whereas he had reportedly been subjected to psychological pressure, arbitrary punishment, severe ill-treatment and torture during his imprisonment in several ill-famed prisons and penal colonies;

C. whereas since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian regime has substantially increased its repression against the population, including against members of the political opposition and active civil society, not the least by criminalising any expression of dissent about the war;

1. Expresses its shock at the news of 16 February 2024 concerning the death of Alexei Navalny in a remote Siberian prison colony above the Arctic Circle; considers that, regardless of the direct cause of death, the incessant persecution and inhuman treatment of Alexei Navalny by the Russian authorities are ultimately responsible for his premature death;

2. Expresses its deepest condolences to Alexei Navalny’s wife, Yulia, as well as their children, family, friends, close collaborators and countless supporters across Russia;

3. Pays its respects to Alexei Navalny as a political leader and prominent anti-corruption campaigner who, thanks to his bravery, charisma and capacity to forge alliances, achieved what others had tried but few had managed to achieve, namely empowering people by making them aware of and believe in their ability to improve life, change society and influence politics;

4. Recalls his contributions to developing civic consciousness through genuine public debates, political campaigns, street protests and innovative communication, which led to him being viewed by many as representing a vision of another Russia where power would not be held captive by a kleptocratic regime protected by subservient law enforcement agents, but would be held by and serve the people;

5. Demands an independent and international investigation into the exact circumstances of Alexei Navalny’s death and those responsible, in order to uncover the truth, ensure accountability and establish justice;

6. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Russia, including those detained for their association with Alexei Navalny and his organisation, such as his lawyers, or for their opposition to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, among many others;

7. Denounces the arbitrary, decade-long prison sentences and inhumane prison conditions in Russia, as exemplified by the case of Alexei Navalny who had been subjected to deliberate ill-treatment and arbitrary punishments that led to a serious deterioration in his health even before 16 February 2024;

8. Urges the Russian authorities to immediately end the use of torture and other ill-treatment or arbitrary disciplinary measures against all detainees and to urgently reform the prison conditions in compliance with Russia’s obligations under international human rights law;

9. Calls on the Russian authorities to repeal their oppressive legislation in contradiction with the Russian constitution and the country’s international commitments, such as the laws on censoring truthful information about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and on ‘foreign agents’ and ‘undesirable organisations’;

10. Calls on the Council to adopt sanctions against those involved in and responsible for the politically-motivated trials against Alexei Navalny and his sentencing, imprisonment and detention conditions, including the prosecutors and judges, prison staff and those responsible for his premature death; calls on the Council, furthermore, to substantially increase the number of Russian regime representatives being targeted by individual sanctions and calls for consideration to be given to adding further persons identified by Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) as so-called regime enablers contributing to waging and financing the war of aggression against Ukraine and to domestic repression in support of the regime’s survival;

11. Expresses its solidarity with the Russian citizens who, despite the totalitarian repression and the severe personal consequences, still find the courage to speak the truth, uphold human values and show the world that another Russia exists;

12. Welcomes the reports about Russian citizens paying tribute to Alexei Navalny in cities and towns all over Russia and urges the Russian authorities to immediately release all those who have shown their humanity and solidarity with a victim of state repression; expresses its hope that similar actions will continue and show the world that the Russian people do not support a criminal regime that wages an illegal and brutal war of aggression against neighbouring Ukraine, suppresses the Russian population and effectively destroys the prospects for a safe and prosperous future for the Russian people;

13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Russian authorities.