Democracy News

European Parliament President Calls for the Immediate Release of Alexeyeva and other Activists in Russia
January 4, 2010
By: Matt Levy

On New Year's Day, President of the European Parliament, Jerry Buzek, issued a statement strongly criticizing Russia's government for the detention of multiple human rights activists in Moscow, including Lyudmila Alexeyeva, the 82 year old 2009 Sakharov Prize winner for freedom of thought. Mr. Buzek appealed to Russia for the immediate release of Alexeyeva and others detained, reasserting that, "In a democratic country, people should have right to organize protests, even against governments and authorities. Freedom of speech and expression is one of our basic human rights.”

Mr. Buzek's entire statement may be read here.