Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on March 3, 2006.
Photo: Dmitry Lekay
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CE Secretary Denies Deal with Russia
// An Interview with Council of Europe General Secretary Terry Davis
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) spent all day yesterday discussing the situation of democracy and human rights in the member countries of the Council of Europe. Nevertheless, the deputies decided not to bring up either the recent crackdown on the Dissenters' Marches in Russia or the Estonian authorities' plans to move a monument to Soviet soldiers who were killed in the struggle against fascism. To find out why, Kommersant correspondent Nargiz Asadova talked with Council of Europe General Secretary Terry Davis.
Why did the Assembly decide not to discuss the crackdowns on the Dissenters' Marches in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Is this issue not deserving of the Assembly's attention?
This question needs to be posed to PACE President Rene van der Linden. I never intervene in the Assembly's decisions. Before commenting, I would prefer to have as much information as possible concerning what happened. I have asked for information regarding the Dissenters' March, and I have asked our media director to compile the information that is available in the Russian and foreign press. As long as I do not have all the information, I cannot comment. I never jump the gun.
We have the impression that there is a certain agreement between Russia and the Council of Europe that, in exchange for Russia's ratification of the 14th protocol [of reform of the European Court of Human Rights] before June 30, the Assembly will not bring up the topic of the Dissenters' March.
That is not so. I have not heard of such a deal being discussed, and I doubt very much that such a discussion could be going on without my knowledge. Any such theory has a weakness: after the ratification of the 14th protocol, and I expect that the Duma will do so, such a deal loses its power. As far as we know, the presidential administration supports the ratification of the 14th protocol, the Federation Council supports the ratification of the 14th protocol, and so the matter is now for the Duma to decide. It seems to me that this theory does not hold water. If such a deal had been made, Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg would not have been able to present his report critical of the events in Chechnya. And I would not have come out in favor of Thomas Hammarberg's report.
The Estonian authorities have classified all decisions and documents relating to the upcoming disinterment of the mass grave located under the Bronze Soldier in central Tallinn. What are your thoughts on the matter?
I have not heard anything about it. And I don't understand why it would be necessary to classify this information. But I have a firm position on the issue of the Bronze Soldier. I believe that the Soviet soldiers who are buried in Estonia defended Europe from fascism. Thus, their remains must be treated with all due respect. [Turkish republican leader] Kemal Ataturk saw to it that the remains of the Australian soldiers who fought at Gallipoli were buried with full honors, despite the fact that they had fought against Turkey. Everyone should draw conclusions from this humane attitude towards soldiers.
Does that mean that the monument and graves should not be moved?
I cannot say that the soldiers' graves should not be move under any circumstances. There are situations in different countries where, for example, a hospital or a road is being built on the spot where an old cemetery is located – military or civilian. In that case, the cemetery can be moved. But it needs to be done with all due respect and dignity.
When you were in Moscow, you said that Russian noncommercial organizations could appeal to you directly if they encountered problems with registration in Russia. How many such organizations have contacted you thus far?
Not a single Russian noncommercial organization has contacted me. That is a good example. I took an open position, I said that I am truly worried about the situation, but so far there have been no complaints.
In the Council of Europe, some think that it is essential to investigate the degree to which laws concerning noncommercial organizations are being followed in Russia. When could that investigation take place?
Together with the Russian authorities, we are currently discussing the implementation of the law concerning the activities of noncommercial organizations in the Russian Federation. In addition, a meeting in scheduled for Thursday that will include the participation of several Russian noncommercial organizations. The results of this discussion will be taken into account when the Council makes its decision.
When will this analysis be made public?
Towards the end of this year, I think. We're not setting a deadline, but I expect that it will be before the end of the year.
Nargiz Asadova
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 19, 2007
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