B4-0280 and 0299/99

Resolution on respect for human rights in Russia

The European Parliament,

- mindful of the development of its relations with Russia,

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charters on civil and political rights and the European Convention on Human Rights,

- having regard to the Declaration on the principles of tolerance adopted by the UNESCO General Conference on 16 November 1995; alarmed at the current resurgence of acts of religious intolerance and discrimination,

- having regard to the report of 22 January 1998 presented by the special rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights concerning the Declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief,

- having regard to Russia's obligations deriving from its Partnership Treaty with the European Union, which entered into force on 1 December 1997, and its membership of the Council of Europe,

- having regard to the EU-Russia summit of 17/18 February 1999,

A. whereas the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees freedom of religion,

B. whereas new laws aimed at improving the status of the military have been adopted,

C. welcoming Russia's decision to suspend the application of the death penalty,

D. having regard to Article 59(3), which guarantees the right to refuse military service,

E. whereas the European Court of Human Rights has pointed out that the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution excludes any action by the State to determine whether religious beliefs or the means of their expression are legitimate,

F. Deploring the rise in the number of acts of anti-Semitism and intolerance towards members of the Jewish religion in the past few months, an attitude supported even by high-ranking political leaders, including the chairman of the Communist Party,

1. Calls on the Government of Russia to apply strictly the international Conventions and Charters on human rights;

2. Calls on those in power at central and local level to guarantee freedom of religion;

3. Insists that racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance directed against minority groups should be combated;

4. Condemns with the greatest possible force the anti-Semitic statements made by high-ranking political leaders and calls on the competent Russian authorities to do everything in their power to ensure that the authors of these statements answer for them before the courts;

5. Notes that legislation on an alternative form of military service has not progressed and is concerned at the bad treatment, the extremely low level of pay and the malnutrition of young people engaged in military service, and the growing number of fatal accidents in the armed forces, which have led to over 500 suicides and more than a thousand unexplained deaths in 1998;

6. Wishes to see an improvement in the rules concerning the living conditions and disciplining of young soldiers;

7. Wishes to see the adoption of legislation implementing the law on an alternative form of military service and respect in practice for conscientious objection;

8. Calls on the Russian authorities to adopt rules improving living conditions in prisons;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government and Parliament of the Russian Federation.