Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had at European or international level regarding the curb of civil liberties in Russia, particularly freedom of the press; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had conversations with counterparts in the Russian Government regarding the murder of a person (details supplied) and other outspoken critics of the Russian Government who have lost their lives in mysterious circumstances and whose assailants, thus far, have not been brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39497/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 37 together.

The murder on 7 October of the most widely known investigative journalist and defender of freedom of expression in Russia, Anna Politkovskaya, was a heinous crime which shocked the entire international community. Her death is a tragic loss to all who work for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia, most of all in Chechnya. I regret to say also that justice has not been clearly seen to be done in a number of previous cases of killings of journalists in Russia. In order to demonstrate that there is no impunity for such crimes, it is imperative that the Russian authorities investigate thoroughly the murder of Anna Politkovskaya and bring its perpetrators to justice. This action is incumbent on any member in good standing of the Council of Europe and party to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Russian authorities have condemned the murder and repeatedly assured the EU that the investigation, which has been placed under the personal control of the respected Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika, is a priority.

Mandated by Ireland and other Member States, the EU Presidency has raised the case of Anna Politskovskaya with Russia on at least three occasions to date, including at the highest level. A Presidency statement issued on the day after the killing called for a thorough investigation. Prime Minister Vanhanen, as President of the European Council, raised the matter with President Putin at the dinner which followed the informal European Council in Lahti, Finland on 20 October. The case of Anna Politskovskaya and the wider question of the role of free media as an element of a functioning democracy were among the issues discussed at the fourth round of human rights consultations between the EU and Russia in Brussels on 8 November. The Presidency is expected to refer to the case again at tomorrow's EU-Russia Summit in Helsinki.

In recent years, in an overall context in which the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is not advancing and the space for genuine political pluralism is narrowing, freedom of the media has deteriorated in Russia. News coverage by State-owned and most privately-owned electronic media lacks independence. The print media, which has a narrower reach, has a more critical approach to the actions of the authorities; however changes in the ownership of some prominent dailies suggest that they too may become subject to increased pressures. There are fears that recent changes to the law on countering extremist activity, which is very vaguely defined, may make it easier to use against opposition politicians, human rights defenders and free media. The EU is monitoring closely the implementation of changes to the law governing the funding of foreign NGOs in Russia, which came into effect on 1 April last, because they give rise to similar concerns.

There are disturbing reports this week suggesting that Alexander Litvineko, a former Russian security agent living in Britain, might have been poisoned because he is an enemy of President Putin. The Russian authorities have dismissed the charge which, if proven, would be very grave.

The EU has an intense engagement with Russia. Ireland participates fully in the development of common positions for EU contact with Russia at all levels. In particular we work with others to ensure that values issues, such as those raised by the Deputies, receive due attention.