“I am concerned by reports of violence and mass detentions during yesterday‘s opposition demonstrations in Russia. Peaceful demonstrators who have been detained should be released.
Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right protected under the European Convention of Human Rights.
Regrettably, the organisers of the demonstrations and the authorities were unable to agree on the locations of demonstrations.
In democratic societies such questions should be resolved peacefully and consensually, in line with the Convention and the case law of the Strasbourg Court.
The Council of Europe is ready to assist our Member State Russia to improve its legislation in the field of freedom of assembly.”
