FPC and the EU-Russia Centre

Date: Wednesday 21 June 2006, 6.00-7.30 p.m.

Venue: Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, London, SW1A 0AA

The Foreign Policy Centre launched the publication of "Dictatorship or Reform: the Rule of Law in Russia", a collection of essays by international experts in the field, including Alena Ledeneva and Mary McAuley.

Rule of law is a cornerstone of democracy and essential to a well-functioning market economy that protects individual human rights. Yet it is ironic that in the six years since he pledged to uphold democracy in Russia as a "dictatorship of the law", President Putin has increased the role of the federal security service in governing Russia and arbitrarily wielded the power of state institutions such as the courts, the tax inspectors, and the police for political ends.

The trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky was widely perceived as politically motivated, and allegations of prosecutorial misconduct raise questions about judicial independence and selective application of investment and tax laws. Similarly, a series of cases of alleged espionage has led to concerns regarding the lack of due process and the influence of the security services in judicial proceedings. Yet instead of insisting that Russia uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights, EU governments have failed to exert the necessary pressure.

It is therefore a matter of urgency that Russia respects judicial independence and abides by the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and other international agreements such as the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Russia.

Among those speaking were:

Dr Alena Ledeneva, School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies (SSEES), UCL

Edward Lucas, The Economist (Chair)

Andrew Jack, Financial Times

Ken Purchase MP