THE GOVERNMENT yesterday blasted opposition DISY deputy Christos Pourgourides for supporting a proposal to censure Russia in the Council of Europe (CoE) over its failure to fall in line on human rights issues.
Pourgourides is the chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE, which is proposing to ask members of the Assembly to discuss the failure of Russia to improve its human rights record.
Government Spokesman George Lillikas said yesterday the move was not something that would have been expected from a Cypriot deputy, considering Cyprus’ traditionally close ties with Moscow.
He said it was expected that friendly countries such as Russia, which is helping in the efforts for a Cyprus solution would be supported.
Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and has stepped in on a number of occasions to support the Greek Cypriot side.
“We would have expected from a Cypriot deputy to raise questions or objections relating to human rights in Turkey,” said Lillikas.
Responding to the criticism, Pourgourides told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that Russia was ‘playing dirty games’ with human rights and that it had not year abolished the death penalty. “There seems to be no willingness to put an end to what is going on there,” said Pourgourides, adding that the stance of the Cyprus government was unacceptable when it came to Russia.
“When it comes to Turkey and the US, the Cyprus government calls on the decisions of Strasbourg to be implemented, but not when it comes to Russia,” he said. “In my view, this is not good for Cyprus. This is double standards.”
Russia is due to take over the presidency of the CoE for the first time ever in May. However, the CoE is calling on Russia to abolish capital punishment permanently, as some MPs in Russia favour reinstating it in certain regions, such as Chechnya.
The CoE has reminded Russia once again that a moratorium isn’t enough. During a visit to Moscow last week, CoE Secretary-general Terry Davis said he discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Davis hinted that if the CoE’s wish was not heeded there was a chance Russia would not be allowed to assume the CoE presidency next month.
