LI News, July 24, 2013

LI Immediate Past President, Lord John Alderdice (Lib Dems – UK), has spoken out in the UK Parliament to draw international attention to the suppression of democratic freedoms in Russia.

Civil society and political opposition are being crushed in Russia as increasing numbers of liberal and democratic activists are imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s imprisonment in 2003 for supporting for an Opposition party was seen as the start of the decline of democracy in Russia.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Alderdice said: “The Khodorkovsky case is important not just in itself but because it has paved the way for politically motivated reprisals in Russia. Intimidation and reprisals against political dissenters and opposition have turned into daily practices for the Russian authorities [Putin] saw the legal process as one that could be used to intimidate dissenters. Intimidation and reprisals against political dissenters and opposition have turned into daily practices for the Russian authorities”.

Lord Alderdice, a former Chairman of LI’s Human Rights Committee, continued: “In addition to human rights concerns, this increase in political persecution is resulting in increased Russian asylum cases in the European Union. Amidst these discouraging highlights, it is important to remember that there are many Russians inside the country who are fighting for democracy and human rights. They need our unwavering political and moral support—from the whole of the international community. Putin’s attempt to use the legal process and other processes to frighten his citizens through the prosecutions we have mentioned will not ultimately work”.

To mark Khodorkovsky’s 50th birthday and the 10th year of his imprisonment, the leader of LI Full Member, Yabloko, Sergei Mitrokhin said: “We do not know such a person who would show as much courage, strength and composure as Mikhail Khodorkovsky. We have not yet beaten this deceitful, burglarious and corrupt system… but Khodorkovsky has won a moral victory”. Yabloko have supported Khodorkovsky since he was first arrested in 2003

You can read the full transcript of Lord Alderdice’s speech here.

Original