Estonia: Jufereva-Skuratovski: We wish to discuss Navalny’s case at upcoming PACE session

NordenBladet — This week, the Riigikogu Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will participate in the winter plenary session of the Assembly. They will attend the session remotely, via a video bridge. The Estonian delegation has requested initiating debates in support of civil society in Belarus and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

“In both cases, there have been clear violations of the principles of human rights,” Head of the Estonian delegation to PACE Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski said. “Therefore, we consider it important to raise these issues in the Assembly. Given the heightened attention towards Navalny’s arrest and detention, it may be assumed that the topic of Belarus will remain somewhat to the background this time around. It is all the more important then that we make an effort to keep the issue of Belarus on the agenda.”

Jufereva-Skuratovski said that the Assembly would also discuss the issues relating to COVID-19 vaccines.

On Tuesday, the elections of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be held.

In the afternoon of that day, the joint procedure in response to situations where a member state violates the fundamental principles upheld by the Council of Europe will be voted on. The initiative has gained wide support, but the delegation of the Russian Federation has expressed a wish to table amendments.

Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski will also take the floor at the debates on the observation of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and the German presidency on Monday. On Wednesday, member of the Estonian delegation Vilja Toomast will speak about vaccination against COVID-19. Raimond Kaljulaid and Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski wish to speak in support of Navalny at the current affairs debate on Thursday.

The video meetings will also be attended by members of the Estonian delegation Eerik-Niiles Kross, Urmas Reitelmann and Raivo Tamm.