Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-05-12-Speech-4-181"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2005-05-12"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Violations of human rights and democracy in the Republic of Mari El in the Russian Federation2
dcterms:Language	"et"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20050512.25.4-181"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2005-05-12-Speech-4-1822
lpv:speaker	lp:Marianne Mikko2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Conference of Delegation Chairs (2004-09-22--2009-07-13)3 chair; Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2004-09-21--2009-07-13)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 substitute; EMPL (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 member; PES (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 unknown; Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 member; CULT (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Ladies and gentlemen at today’s discussion, it would be appropriate to quote Vladimir Lenin. Lenin referred to Tsarist Russia as a prison of nations, though the Soviet Union was no different from Tsarist Russia in that respect. Lenin’s words are still timely today, since the Kremlin, which is strengthening central authority and inciting nationalism, shows no respect for minorities. Xenophobia in Russia has taken the form of fascist strike forces. This is especially dangerous in a country where one fifth of the population is not of Slavic descent. The persecution and killing of non-Russian journalists is very worrying. This combines Vladimir Putin’s wish to suppress the independent media and ethnic discrimination. Evidence that the authorities support attacks on Maris is provided by the fact that fascist attacks have gone unpunished for years. When cooperating with Moscow, one should not turn a blind eye to the situation of the ethnic minorities in Russia. In his speeches, the Russian President Vladimir Putin often speaks of his commitment to European politics. Russia’s policy towards ethnic minorities, however, once again confirms that President Putin’s deeds do not match his words. Since the Second World War, ethnic strife has decreased in Europe. We respect cultural diversity, and seek to protect and support varied cultural traditions. Europe-leaning Russia should, like Europe, understand that cultural diversity is Russia’s strength, and not a danger. Unfortunately, however, we can see the opposite happening. For this reason, when taking part in political discussions with Russia, representatives of the European Union must seriously raise the issue of the protection of ethnic minorities in Russia. A total of 28 million members of ethnic minorities live in Russia. Of those, four million speak Finno-Ugric languages. Only around twenty books a year are published in the Mordvin language, which has about a million speakers; there is no daily newspaper, and the language is not taught in a single school. The situation of the Maris is somewhat better, but the number of publications is decreasing rapidly, and the absence of secondary and higher education in the Mari language also has an effect. A European approach does not merely require Russia to end attacks against the ethnic opposition. It also means that the Russian Government must support the preservation of the languages and culture of ethnic minorities through legislation and other actions. At the moment, this is a dream, but it is the responsibility of European countries to support that dream, and if necessary fight for it. Thank you very much!"@en1

Named graphs describing this resource:

The resource appears as object in 2 triples

Context graph