In February 2019, PGA’s President and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Vice-president Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden), was appointed Rapporteur of the OSCE Commission of Enquiry on the assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
The Commission, which will present its preliminary findings in July 2019 and the final report in 2020, is tasked with reporting on the circumstances of the assassination and evaluate the effectiveness of the Russian investigation.
As documented by the Washington Post's DemocracyPost blog, various sectors of the civil society and political opposition in Russia still demand justice. Boris Nemtsov was a fierce critic of the government of President Vladimir Putin, whom he repeatedly denounced as authoritarian, undemocratic, and allegedly corrupt. The politician was assassinated on 27 February 2015 in central Moscow generating widespread international condemnation. Russian authorities promised to conduct a proper investigation. Authorities charged two individuals from the Northern Caucasus with the commission of the crime, who later on retracted their confessions on the basis of it being allegedly obtained by means of torture.
On 29 April 2019, a comprehensive report written by a series of human rights NGOs and echoed by various media outlets (see, for example, here and here), announced that the number of political prisoners in Russia had reached above 230. This has been allegedly facilitated by the enforcement of a number of vaguely-defined laws against “undesirable” activists and public figures and organizations.
Video: ‘Political Imprisonment in Russia: Motives, Tools, and Trends’ (Human Rights Centre Memorial)
In the face of increased repression of political dissidents, it is paramount that the International Community steps in. Strengthening and promoting the respect of human rights, the Rule of Law, and the consolidation of democratic institutions is at the heart of both the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). In 2018, PGA reaffirmed its commitment by launching a Campaign for Democratic Renewal and Human Rights, aimed at protecting the human rights of democracy activists, especially parliamentarians in opposition, women in politics, minorities and vulnerable groups.
It is through strengthened cooperation, and a zero tolerance against human rights violations, that the international community best can protect individuals from abuse and terror inflicted by their own governments. Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, ‘The Nemtsov case: A test for Russian justice – and for the international community’ (The Hill)
PGA’s President, member of the Swedish Parliament since 1999, previously served two terms as OSCE Rapporteur for the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security. Ms. Cederfelt’s most recent appointment to this important OSCE position in such crucial times further evidences her integrity, credibility and competence as a political leader and human rights defender of high international standing.
The global membership of PGA is honored to carry its Democratic Renewal Campaign under her leadership. PGA, the largest network of 1,300 individual legislators from over 135 elected parliaments around the world, commends its President and wishes her success in her dedicated efforts to protect democracy and fundamental freedoms in Russia and worldwide.