(Strasbourg) In a resolution passed by an overwhelming majority (458 votes in favour, 80 against and 89 abstentions), the European Parliament calls on Russia to respect the rights of citizens and fundamental freedoms. MEPs urge the Russian authorities to “unconditionally release all illegally and arbitrarily detained Ukrainian citizens without further delay, both in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”. This includes – a statement explains – “Crimean Tatars, the recently detained Red Square peaceful demonstrators of 10 July 2019, Ukrainian citizens detained on politically motivated charges and the 24 crew members of the Ukrainian naval vessels who were seized near the Kerch Strait by Russian military forces on 25 November last year”. Russian authorities are also called upon to “immediately cease all forms of harassment against all environmental activists, including Alexandra Koroleva and Ekozaschita, and human rights defenders in the country, and allow them to carry out their legitimate work without any interference”.