Even though some of the demonstrations that took place in Russia on May 5, had not been permitted where they were held, this is no justification for police heavy-handedness and mass arrests, the European External Action Service (EEAS) Spokesperson said.
“The detention of over a thousand demonstrators and violence used against them by the Russian authorities across the country today threaten the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly in the Russian Federation,” the EEAS said in a statement released in Brussels.
“The detention of journalists also threatens the freedom of the media,” the spokesperson said.
“These fundamental rights are enshrined in the Russian constitution and we expect them to be protected, not eroded. The European Union expects the Russian authorities to abide fully by the international commitments Russia has made, including in the Council of Europe and the OSCE, to uphold these rights, and release without delay peaceful demonstrators and journalists,” the EEAS said.
