The European Parliament calls on Russia to cease human rights violations in Crimea
The European Parliament (EP) condemned the "unprecedented level" of violations of the rights of Crimeans, in particular Crimean Tatars, in the annexed pensinsula. Members of the EP supported the relevant resolution at the plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday.
The EU institution "strongly condemns the unprecedented level of human rights violations”, in particular, “under the pretext of fighting extremism and terrorism carried out against the Crimean people, primarily against the Crimean Tatars who don't follow rules of the so-called local government," the resolution stated.
The European Parliament has condemned restrictions of the freedom of thought and peaceful assembly on the peninsula.
MEPs reminded Russia, as an occupying power, is responsible for the safety of the entire population of Crimea.
In the resolution, the European Parliament strongly condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia. The document states that the restoration of Ukrainian control over the peninsula are one of the conditions necessary for the "Establishment of cooperation with Russia, including the suspension of sanctions."
A delegation of the Council of Europe visited the Crimea from January 25th to 31st. Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, said that he decided to send a delegation to the Crimea to assess the human rights situation on the peninsula.
Observers from the Council of Europe were the first representatives of international organizations that had access to Crimea in the year and a half since Russia annexed the territory in early 2014. They will publish their report on the results of the trip to Crimea in the spring of 2016.