EU-Court: It is acceptable to discriminate against Russians
A very doubtful decision: Europe is using double legal standards
Two years ago, in June 2015, the then President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has forbidden the German NPD MEP Udo Voigt to hold an already scheduled press conference in the building in Brussels of the European Parliament. The planned topic was the current situation in Eastern Ukraine. Udo Voigt had invited several Russian guests as experts: Mr Andrei Petrov and Prof. Alexander Sotnichenko, as well as Fyodor Biryukov of the Russian party Rodina. At the time, Schulz forbade them to enter the building and justified this with an alleged ‘risk’ of disturbance of Parliament’s work.
The Russian politicians locked out by Schulz had filed suit before the European Union Court (ECJ) in Luxemburg because they saw themselves discriminated against by the Speaker of Parliament. A second lawsuit was lodged by Udo Voigt, who was damaged in his rights as a Member of Parliament by banning the press conference and banning his Russian guests.
Yesterday, the ECJ announced its decision – and dismissed both lawsuits. The court entrenched itself essentially behind advanced legal formalities and argued in all seriousness that the ban imposed by Schulz at the time was acceptable, in view of the tense relationship with Russia and the thus possible disturbances for the parliamentary activities. Observers rather think that this is a purely politically motivated verdict in order to be able to legally cover up the obvious discrimination against the Russian delegation, and to avoid accusing the former parliamentary president Schulz of breaking the rules.
Udo Voigt criticized the decision in a first opinion and said: “According to this ECJ ruling, it is acceptable to discriminate against Russians because of their nationality because they do not belong to the EU. This is unacceptable. In fact, Parliament and the European Court are afraid of a national awakening of strong national states. This court ruling shows once again how important our political work is for a Europe of free people. “
Udo Voigt and the Russian claimants will examine whether they will refer the judgment to the Court of Justice on appeal.
Brussels, 20.11.2017
