A while ago I published an article called “EU membership is the best way to avoid criticisms for human rights violations.” The reaction of high-ranking EU politicians to recent events in Estonia is clear proof of this assertion.

A number of human rights NGOs, notably the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights and the European Network Against Racism, have expressed their deep concern at the excessive use of force by police against the demonstrators (mostly Russian speakers) who oppose the removal of the WWII Soviet Army monument in Tallinn. Nevertheless, the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said: “The Government of Estonia has my full support in guaranteeing security and public order in the country. The decision taken by the democratic government of a sovereign country should be respected.”

But the decision-making process was not democratic at all. According to surveys, the plans for removing the monument were not supported by the majority of Tallinn residents. The city administration also spoke against it. Removal was seen as an insult to the victims of Nazi crimes in Estonia and abroad - the Simon Wiesenthal Centre also expressed its dissatisfaction. Whilst totally unacceptable, it is unsurprising that protestors have turned to vandalism when they have been denied the possibility of peaceful protest because of the actions of the authorities.

As stated in the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”

The Russian-speaking minority in Estonia, which constitutes about 30 percent of the total population, faces discrimination and exclusion in everyday life. As UN human rights bodies and Amnesty International mention, there are disproportionately high levels of unemployment among the Russian-speaking minority. This has further contributed to social exclusion and vulnerability to other human rights abuses.

Many from this group are effectively impeded from full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights. Estonia joined the EU bringing with it some 100,000 people deprived of citizenship - this is a very high proportion when we consider that the country’s total population is only 1.4 million. Estonia’s so-called non-citizens (or “aliens,” as it says in their passports) are deprived of almost all forms of social participation and their opinion is not considered when deciding crucial questions affecting them.

Unfortunately, EU authorities are treating issues related to the clashes in Tallinn as a matter of inter-state relations. This would be acceptable in the context of violations of international diplomatic law and our solidarity with victims of such violations. But this is only one aspect, and not even the main aspect. The riots in Tallinn clearly highlight tensions in majority-minority relations. As such, they demand the particular attention of EU authorities.

The EU must insist that Estonia fights against discrimination and complies with the fundamental principles of democracy and respect for civil liberties.

The EU should not apply double standards in the field of human rights violations. This is just as applicable to police conduct in Tallinn as it is in Moscow. Police brutality, excessive use of force and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are not permissible under any circumstances. It is the responsibility of the police to deal with riots without violating fundamental rights.

According to media and witness reports, Estonian police in some cases used disproportionate force not only against peaceful demonstrators and riot participants, but also against passers-by. Some people were reportedly hit with batons, beaten and mistreated after being taken into custody in a temporary detention facility established in a terminal at the port in Tallinn. Some cases of apparent police brutality were documented by TV broadcasts and cell phone recordings.

Security police arrested several leaders of the Night Watch (the organisation peacefully opposing the monument’s removal) and of an associated organization. One of them is the 18-year-old anti-racist activist Mark Siryk, who, due to illness and his preparing for school exams did not even participate in the peaceful demonstration. There is concern that these people will be treated as scapegoats.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) should have an impartial discussion on the situation in Estonia. Since the country joined the EU, internal humanitarian questions are no longer monitored by our Foreign Affairs Committee with its Subcommittee on Human rights, but have been placed under the aegis of the LIBE committee.

The latter has a fine name – “Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs” - but unfortunately has a tradition of not engaging in depth with the situation in individual member states but rather of dealing with general issues at an EU level.

This is one tradition that needs to be reformed if the European Parliament is to improve its reputation as a defender of human rights and civil liberties.

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