In a letter published on May 6th, MEPs from different parties, call on the EU institutions to keepl a closer eyue and involvement on the situation of human rights activists.
The letter states that: “The European Parliament resolution of 11 February 2021 on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan highlights the most serious human rights violations, including but not limited to crackdown on civil society organisations and trade unions, harsh restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, harassment and prosecution of political opposition and human rights defenders on extremism charges, silencing of journalists, and should be used as a guidance for working with the Kazakh authorities and civil society towards a democratic change.”
And it continues saying that “During the Cooperation Council and any other meetings with Kazakh authorities, we rely on you to regularly organise preparatory meetings with local civil society ahead of high level dialogues and reiterate that deeper political and economic relations with the EU must be based on shared values and correspond to active and concrete engagement by Kazakhstan on democratic reforms and respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms, stemming from its international obligations and commitments.“
The letter, was addressed to : Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal Augusto Santos Silva President of the European Council Charles Michel High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell
And was signed by Petras Auštrevičius, Renew Europe, Lithuania Róża Thun und Hohenstein, EPP, Poland Heidi Hautala, Greens/EFA, Finland Isabel Santos, S&D, Portugal Niklas Nienaß, Greens/EFA, Germany Helmut Scholz, GUE/NGL, Germany Michal Šimečka, Renew Europe, Slovakia Viola von Cramon Taubadel, Greens/EFA, Germany
