EU Parliament Concerned About Repression in Russia

The European Parliament has questioned Russia's legal system in a resolution that criticizes the lack of freedom of expression and assembly in Russia. The resolution expresses concern about the "recent repressive laws and their arbitrary enforcement by the Russian authorities." It also criticizes targeted inspections, the confiscation of property, and administrative fines imposed on Russian nongovernmental organizations. EU lawmakers also said they are worried about the State Duma's passage of a law banning "homosexual propaganda. " The resolution urges the EU Commission to significantly increase EU financial support to Russian NGOs and civil society. A separate passage in the text reiterates a call for common EU visa restrictions and asset freezes against Russian officials involved in the Sergei Magnitsky case. The Parliament also said it “deplores the allegedly politically motivated nature” of prosecution of Russian opposition activists, including Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Despite previous pleas from the Parliament, EU member states have so far refrained from concerted actions.

http://www.rferl.org/content/eu-concern-russia-repression/25016388.html
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130614/181654645/European-Parliament-Concerned-by-Russias-NGO-Law.html