Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12666 | 23 June 2011

Registration of political parties in Russia

Signatories: Ms Anne BRASSEUR, Luxembourg, ALDE ; Mr Josep Anton BARDINA PAU, Andorra, ALDE ; Mr Fernand BODEN, Luxembourg, EPP/CD ; Ms Viola von CRAMON-TAUBADEL, Germany, SOC ; Mr Andreas GROSS, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Ana GUŢU, Republic of Moldova, ALDE ; Mr Norbert HAUPERT, Luxembourg, EPP/CD ; Mr Serhiy HOLOVATY, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Antti KAIKKONEN, Finland, ALDE ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr Jean-Pierre KUCHEIDA, France, SOC ; Ms Darja LAVTIŽAR-BEBLER, Slovenia, SOC ; Mr Younal LOUTFI, Bulgaria, ALDE ; Ms Kerstin LUNDGREN, Sweden, ALDE ; Ms Muriel MARLAND-MILITELLO, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernard MARQUET, Monaco, ALDE ; Ms Meritxell MATEU PI, Andorra, ALDE ; Ms Liliane MAURY PASQUIER, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Nursuna MEMECAN, Turkey, ALDE ; Mr Patrick MORIAU, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Felix MÜRI, Switzerland, ALDE ; Ms Hermine NAGHDALYAN, Armenia, ALDE ; Mr Björn von SYDOW, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Mehmet TEKELİOĞLU, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Mr Latchezar TOSHEV, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation has refused to register the People’s Freedom Party (PARNAS) which had been established in December 2010 bringing together the following political movements: ‘Solidarity’ (Mr Boris Nemtsov), Russian National Democratic Union (Mr Mikhail Kasyanov), Republican Party of Russia (Mr Vladimir Ryzhkov), and ‘Democratic Choice’ party (Mr Vladimir Milov).

While joining the Council of Europe in 1996, the Russian Federation committed itself to the core values and principles of this Organisation. The decision of the Russian authorities not to register PARNAS undermines the principle of political pluralism and freedom of association, i.e. indispensible elements of genuine democracy.

Therefore the Parliamentary Assembly should consider this latest decision limiting the freedom of association and political expression in one of the biggest Council of Europe member states. The Assembly should take urgent measures to examine whether the legislation and practice in Russia on registration of political parties comply with European standards.