Priority question for written answer P-003079/2021
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Paulo Rangel (PPE), Lídia Pereira (PPE), José Manuel Fernandes (PPE), Maria da Graça Carvalho (PPE), Álvaro Amaro (PPE), Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (PPE)
Subject: Handing over by Lisbon City Council of personal data of Russian activists to the Russian authorities
It was reported yesterday by the Portuguese media that Lisbon City Hall has allegedly sent to the Russian Embassy in Lisbon and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the names, addresses and contacts of three Russian activists living in Portugal - two of them with dual Russian and Portuguese nationality - who, in January, organised a protest for the release of Alexey Navalny, in front of the Russian Embassy in Lisbon.
In view of this:
1. Do you consider the local authority’s actions to be in line with European values and diplomatic practices in relation to Russia?
2. Do you consider that such action jeopardises the safety of these citizens and their families, particularly given that we are talking about a regime which persecutes and wipes out its opponents, even when they are on European soil?
3. To what extent do you consider that the handing over of personal data on these citizens to the Russian authorities could damage Portuguese and European credibility with regard to the international defence and promotion of the fundamental right to freedom of expression?