Because Russian presidential elections will be taking place at the end of this week, Latvian Saeima released a statement on Thursday, the 14th of March, in which the parliament categorically condemns the organisation of elections in temporarily occupied and illegally annexed territories of Ukraine, as confirmed by the Saeima’s press-service.
Such activities from Russia within internationally recognised borders of Ukraine are illegal, and results of elections will not be recognised, Latvian Saeima deputies say.
In its statement, Latvian Saeima strongly condemns Russia’s imperialistic activities and its ongoing aggression against Ukraine and demands the Russian government ends any kind of torture against political prisoners, ban all forms of inhumane treatment of other people, lift all unjustified charges and immediately release all political prisoners.
In its statement, the Saeima once again stresses that European Union, its member states and allies around the world must continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine, including political, economic, financial and military assistance, as well as support to civil society and national reconstruction.
Latvian Saeima deputies stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its efforts to restore its independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.
Deputies say that presidential elections in Russia itself will be neither free nor fair, as the opposition and independent media are suppressed, there is no credible political competition, as well as the presence of independent international observers, so this election lacks any democratic legitimacy.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has particularly intensified its crackdown on political dissidents, the media and civil liberties, brutally suppressing any opposition and criminalising any anti-war sentiment, the Latvian Saeima stresses.
Saeima deputies stress that today’s Russia is ruled by an authoritarian regime and recalls that its government is responsible for grave human rights violations and political repression, including the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
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