In link with the classification of the Russian non-governmental organisation International Historical and Human Rights Society (IHHRS) 'Memorial' as 'a foreign agent', the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, Elena Valenciano (S&D, ES) made the following statement:
Speaking on behalf of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights, I denounce the decision taken by the Russian authorities which is another attempt to silence an independent organisation that promotes and protects human rights through peaceful advocacy work.
The next meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights will take place on Wednesday 9 November 2016 from 9.00 - 12.30 and from 15.00 - 18.30 in room ASP 3G3.
Can Dündar and fellow defenders of freedom of thought and expression in Turkey, the Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzemilev, the Yazidi survivors and public advocates Nadia Murad Basee and Lamiya Aji Bashar are this year's finalists for the Sakharov Prize following a vote by the Foreign Affairs and Development committees on 11 October. The laureate will be selected by the EP President and the political group leaders on 27 October and the award ceremony will be held in Strasbourg on 14 December.
Extremely concerned about the death of protesters in Ethiopia, the Chair of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Elena Valenciano (S&D, ES), made a statement calling for an independent investigation. (For full statement see link below