Poroshenko asks Council of Europe for special mission to monitor situation of Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with EU Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks during which he called to favor a release of Nadia Savchenko, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and other Ukrainian political prisoners detained in Russia.
"Criminal prosecution of Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Russia is politically motivated and contradicts generally accepted legislative regulations and principles. These cases have similar features that prove the existence of a very dangerous trend," Poroshenko said during the meeting with Muiznieks according to his press service.
The president addressed the Council of Europe with a request to send a special mission to Russia to monitor the situation of Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia.
"We must use every opportunity to control the situation of imprisoned Ukrainians and impose other necessary mechanisms, particularly monitoring of Russia by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture," the president said.
In his turn, Muiznieks informed that he monitored the situation of Savchenko and other imprisoned Ukrainians.
The head of state informed on a disastrous humanitarian situation in Donbas caused by Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.
He emphasizes that Russia, as state-occupant, bears full responsibility for human rights violations in that region.
The president also expressed concern over the oppression and abduction of Crimean Tatars. The last flagrant example was the prohibition of the Mejlis, which contradicts all norms of the international law. The EU Commissioner noted: "I am concerned about the attempt to ban the Mejlis as an extremist organization. It will affect thousands of people who will be associated with extremists under Russian legislation and face oppression."
Poroshenko also thanked the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for imposing sanctions against Russia for its actions in Crimea and Donbas.