Freedom of expression is not a crime

PRESS RELEASE - Brussels, 3 May 2018

The Russian Foreign Ministry declared Greens/EFA member Bronis Ropė persona non grata in Russia. He will be refused entry to this country for the next five years.

Greens/EFA Presidents Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller commented:

“We are deeply concerned over the fact that without appropriate justification, members of the European Parliament could be refused entrance to the territory of the Russian Federation. We experienced such harsh action of the Russian authorities towards members of the Greens/EFA Group before and ask the President of the European Parliament to raise this matter with the relevant Russian authorities and inquire about the reasoning that lies behind the decision on sanctions towards Bronis Ropė.

Freedom of expression is not a crime. Russia as a State Party to the European Convention on Human Rights should follow the rules the Russian government itself has signed.”

Background
In a letter to Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA Presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts express their deep concern and ask the President of the European Parliament to take strict measures.