Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can exert its influence towards the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4887/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In my statement of 18 January, I joined the EU, US, UK and others in condemning the detention of Alexei Navalny on his return to Moscow on 17 January and I call for his immediate release.

Having survived an attempted poisoning on Russian soil, Mr Navalny chose to return home of his own free will. His detention, immediately upon arrival, raises serious questions around the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. I am also deeply concerned by the mass detentions and scenes of police violence during peaceful protests across Russia on 23 January.

Unfortunately there has been deterioration in the environment for civil society in Russia. The recent changes in the foreign agents’ law are an example of this and I am concerned that these laws could be used to further crack down on civil society and critical voices.

I reiterate the call for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation into the poisoning of Mr. Navalny in full cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Ireland's view on this detention has been communicated directly to the Russian Ambassador at official level. EU Foreign Ministers considered this issue at our meeting on Monday 25 January and we discussed the next steps for a response. As a first step HR/VP Borrell intends to convey the EU's position to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when he travels to Moscow in early February. I will continue to engage with my colleagues to develop a firm EU response. Both the EU and Ireland will continue to work with the international community to keep pressure on the Russian Government to uphold rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights in Russia.

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