Published 2024-03-02 16.15
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full screen Navalny’s coffin is carried out of the church in Moscow. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP
The Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been buried.
Now the Social Democrats want to introduce “Lex Navalny”.
– We must continue to support those who remain, says Heléne Fritzon, the party’s delegation leader in the EU.
The need to strengthen and support the opposition in Russia is urgent following the death of regime critic Alexei Navalny, according to the Social Democrats.
Therefore, the party now wants to see a “Lex Navalny” – a number of initiatives in the EU that will support the Russian opposition.
According to S, these include financial support, targeted sanctions once morest those who oppress the opposition and protection programs for political refugees.
– We must stand united in our endeavor to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights, says Heléne Fritzon, MEP and delegation leader for the Social Democrats in the EU.
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full screen Heléne Fritzon, S. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT
“Additional sanctions are needed”
At the same time, the EU has recently presented a thirteenth package of sanctions once morest Russia.
The decision means, among other things, that there are now over 2,000 names on the list of sanctioned persons and entities.
But according to Fritzon, more can be done.
– We need additional sanctions once morest individuals and organizations that are directly involved in the suppression of opposition movements and violations of human rights, she says.
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full screen Mourners at the cemetery in Moscow. Photo: AP
Was buried on Friday
On Friday, Alexei Navalny was buried in a church in Moscow.
Thousands of people gathered to say goodbye – despite Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya having previously expressed concerns regarding the ceremony.
– I am not sure if the funeral will be peaceful or if the police will arrest those who come to say goodbye to my husband, she said, among other things, in a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday.
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fullscreen Alexei Navalny’s parents Lyudmila and Anatoly on their way to church. Photo: AP
Heléne Fritzon was one of those present in Strasbourg during Navalnaya’s speech.
– I sat at the front and listened to her strong and emotional speech regarding how she will continue her husband’s fight for a democratic Russia, says Fritzon.
On Friday, Russian independent Meduza reported that several opposition figures were stopped on their way to Navalny’s funeral. Several have also been arrested, according to the legal organization OVD-Info.
FACT
That’s what S wants with “Lex Navalny”
- Increase the EU’s diplomatic and economic pressure on the Russian government to demand responsibility for Navalny’s murder.
- Intensify support for civil society organizations fighting for democracy and human rights in Russia.
- Continue working to offer protection and safety to political activists, journalists and anyone who risks persecution and violence for their work in Russia and Belarus.
- Additional sanctions once morest individuals and organizations directly involved in the repression of opposition movements and human rights abuses.
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