Speech on human rights in the world 2012 and EU policy on the matter
EP plenary session
Strasbourg
December 10, 2013
President, Colleagues,
I would like to thank the Rapporteur for a comprehensive and detailed report which underlines the universality of human rights. Promoting human rights around the world is rightly a cornerstone of the EU's external relations.
I am also grateful that Mr Kukan included my amendment on Russia, and in particular my concern about Mikhail Khodorkovsky – a concern shared by so many of us in this House.
This Christmas will be his last behind bars, after ten years of injustice, political persecution and imprisonment. We eagerly await his release next August.
Russia badly need a change of direction. It needs people of the character and calibre of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to take the country forward.
Finally the report mentions another former Yukos employee, Vasily Alexanian, who died after being tortured. His case is a stark reminder that some people in Russia pay for their principles not only with their freedom, but with their lives.
!["I, Laima Andrikienė, swear ....". Part II - Minister](typo3temp/pics/925263d0ee.jpg ""I, Laima Andrikienė, swear ....". Part II - Minister")
!["I, Laima Andrikienė, I swear ...". Part III - MEP](typo3temp/pics/5ec4427246.jpg ""I, Laima Andrikienė, I swear ...". Part III - MEP")
