Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing erosion of human rights in Russia – it is shocking – and the persecution of individuals for exercising their personal freedoms, including the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly. The arbitrary arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Mr. Alexei Navalny and the subsequent instrumentalisation of the court system against him raise obvious and serious questions about the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Russia. Mr. Navalny continues to serve politically motivated sentences amounting to more than 30 years and endures persistent ill treatment, with great risks to his life. On 17 January, High Representative Borrell issued a statement on behalf of the EU calling for his immediate and unconditional release and condemning in the strongest possible terms all politically motivated rulings against Mr. Navalny for actions that constitute legitimate political and anti-corruption activities.

The decision in January 2024 to move Mr. Navalny to one of the most remote penal colonies in Siberia is a stark indication of attempts to further silence him ahead of the upcoming presidential elections as well as a broader trend towards stifling a wider political discourse that has intensified since Russia began its aggression against Ukraine.

Ireland and the EU have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Russia, including Mr. Yuri Dimitriev, Mr. Vladimir Kara-Murza, Mr. Ilya Yashin and several others. We also highlighted the situation of three lawyers defending Mr. Navalny who, last November, were added to Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists. They remain in pre-trial detention and face up to six years of imprisonment. Lawyers have a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law and the human rights of defendants. We will continue to work with international partners to keep pressure on the Russian Government to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights.

I commend the Deputy on raising this matter, as not too many others in the House have.

See this speech in context