Press Release: Human rights: Russia, Azerbaijan and Angola

The European Parliament adopted in plenary on 10 September 2015 separate non-legislative resolutions concerning the human rights situation in third countries:

+ The EP urged Russia to release Estonia the Estonian Eston Kohver, and Ukrainians Oleg Sentsov, Nadiya Savchenko and Olexandr Kolchenko condemning the 'blatant violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Estonia'.

+ MEPs called for the release of all political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society activists, including Khadija Ismayilova, Leyla Yunus and Arif Yunus, in line with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights and / or a prompt investigation into the death of the journalist Rasim Aliyev.

+ The plenary also expressed their concern over the deteriorating situation of human rights in Angola and called on the authorities of Angola to immediately release all political prisoners and human rights defenders.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Russia's abduction of Estonian officer 'very disturbing' http://www.europeansources.info/record/russias-abduction-of-estonian-officer-very-disturbing/

ESO: Background information: Azerbaijan: Human rights situation http://www.europeansources.info/record/azerbaijan-human-rights-situation/

EurActiv, 15.09.15: [Opinion] The EU should reward, not punish its loyal partner Azerbaijan http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/eu-should-reward-not-punish-its-loyal-partner-azerbaijan-317625

Politico, 22.09.15: [Opinion] Time to get tough on Azerbaijan http://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-press-freedome-media-human-rights-jailed-journalists-ilham-aliyev/

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