Resolution on the Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea

The European Parliament adopted 451 votes to 73, with 86 abstentions, a resolution on the Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE and Greens/EFA groups.

Parliament reiterated its condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol by Russian. It expressed its full support at the firm and sustained determination of the EU not to recognise this annexation. It regretted the deterioration of the human rights situation on the Crimean peninsula, the violation of freedom of speech, media abuse and forced imposition of Russian citizenship. It also condemned the discriminatory policies imposed by the so-called authorities against, in particular, Crimea’s ethnic Tatar minority.

Parliament called on Russia to:

• release without further delay all illegally and arbitrarily detained Ukrainian citizens, both in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine;
• cease issuing Russian passports to all inhabitants of Crimea;
• immediately cease the systematic intimidation of local citizens opposed to the annexation of Crimea and investigate all cases of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment of detainees;
• respect the fundamental freedoms of all residents, including the freedoms of expression, religion or belief and association and the right to peaceful assembly.

The resolution called for unlimited, safe and unhindered access of the OSCE and other international human rights observers and all humanitarian actors to the Crimean peninsula.

Parliament urged all sides to fully implement the provisions of the Minsk Agreements, including the end of military activities in Donbas.

Lastly, it requested that the possibility be explored of establishing an international format for negotiations discussing the de-occupation of Crimea, with the participation of the EU and which would be based on international humanitarian law, human rights and international principles.