B3-0062/94

Resolution on the human rights situation of soldiers in Russia

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the election results in Russia,

B.having regard to the danger of emerging nationalism which is finding support in the army in particular,

C.having regard to the need to establish lasting relations with a Russia which is turning towards democracy and which has pledged to respect human rights,

D.having regard to the EC aid programmes for the eastern European countries, notably TACIS,

E.having regard to the Democracy Initiative of the EC,

F.having regard to the CSCE declarations,

G.aware of initiatives by Amnesty International, the International Society of Human Rights, the Committee of Russian Soldiers' Mothers and of other endeavours,

H.having regard to the future Constitution of Russia,

1.Advises the Russian government that all agreements with the European Union will require respect for human rights;

2.Notes that the following serious human rights violations have been brought to its attention:

-maltreatment of young soldiers and recruits in the armed forces, leading to serious disability and even death,

-the drafting of sick and handicapped young people to meet the plans,

-maltreatment and inhuman conditions in Russian prisons,

-abuse and inhuman treatment of street children and youths in prisons;

3.Calls on the Commission to:

-provide funds, under its programmes, for humanitarian organizations and planning,

-draw attention to these human rights violations in negotiations with the Russian government;

4.Calls on its responsible delegation to raise these issues in its contacts;

5.Instructs its Subcommittee on Human Rights to examine these issues;

6.Calls on the Council and the Member States to press for an improvement in this situation in their relations with Russia;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the government of Russia.