OSCE Chairmanship Special Representative, Gernot Erler calls for immediate release of Nadiya Savchenko

BERLIN, 9 March 2016 – Gernot Erler, Special Representative of the German Government for the OSCE Chairmanship, expressed today great concern following reports concerning the health of Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukrainian pilot imprisoned in the Russian Federation.

Erler stressed that “Rule-of-law principles are not being upheld in the trial against her. As a member of the Council of Europe and of the OSCE, Russia must adhere to its human rights commitments and is responsible for the health and well‑being of those imprisoned in Russia.”

Erler called on those responsible in Russia to release Nadiya Savchenko with immediate effect.  “Ms. Savchenko’s release would also be a positive sign for the relations between Russia and Ukraine. We urgently need this sign with regard to a political settlement of the conflict in and around Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.”