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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2014-12-19 00:00:00

Comment by the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a statement by the EEAS spokesperson

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Comment by the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a statement by the EEAS spokesperson

Moscow has noted the statement by the EEAS spokesperson regarding the human rights situation in the Chechen Republic.

We hope that the belated words of condolences to the families of the victims of the recent terrorist act in Grozny are truly sincere. And we consider it absolutely inappropriate to use this tragic event as an opportunity to take politically motivated swipes at the Chechen Republic’s leadership over human rights. Where was the concern of the European Union during the punitive operation waged in southeast Ukraine, as the blood of innocent civilians was being spilled? Is this another example of double standards?

It was also odd to hear a European Commission spokesperson say that the EU, as a “member of the OSCE and the Council of Europe,” demands that Russia meet its international commitments and ensure the safety of rights activists. We can’t recall the EU joining these organisations. Meanwhile, Brussels continues to drag out the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights.

19 December 2014