Congressional Record, Volume 161 Issue 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)

[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H6183-H6185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF UKRAINIAN FIGHTER PILOT NADIYA SAVCHENKO

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 50) calling for the release of
Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who was captured by Russian
forces in Eastern Ukraine and has been held illegally in a Russian
prison since July 2014, and ask for its immediate consideration in the
House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 50

Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is the first-ever female fighter
pilot in Ukraine's Armed Forces and is an Iraqi war veteran;
Whereas in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, Nadiya
Savchenko volunteered her services to the Ukrainian Aidar
battalion;
Whereas Nadiya Savchenko was elected in absentia from the
Batkivshchyna Party to Ukraine's Parliament in October 2014,
and appointed to the Parliament Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) as a representative from Ukraine;
Whereas as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
Lieutenant Nadiya Savchenko was conducting operations in
eastern Ukraine against pro-Russian forces in the summer of
2014 when she was captured and taken into captivity;
Whereas during her mission in Eastern Ukraine, she was
captured by the Donbas People's Militia, detained on
Ukrainian territory, deprived of rights to due process, and
illegally transferred to the Russian Federation to stand
trial on unsubstantiated charges of terrorism;
Whereas since July 2014, Nadiya Savchenko has endured
involuntary psychiatric evaluations and solitary confinement;
Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is currently entering her sixth
week of a hunger strike as a symbol of her protest;
Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is denied access to urgently
needed medical attention and access to legal counsel;
Whereas the Minsk Protocol of September 2014, signed by
Ukraine and the Russian Federation, calls for the ``immediate
release of all hostages and illegally held persons'';
Whereas appeals have been made to the United Nations Human
Rights Council and the International Red Cross to secure
Nadiya Savchenko's release;
Whereas the international community including
representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) and of the United States have urged her
immediate release;
Whereas, on January 26, 2015, the opening day of the
Parliamentary Assembly, the global community embark on a
public campaign to bring attention to the plight of Nadiya
Savchenko and demand her immediate release; and
Whereas the Government of the United States and its people
express concern about the deteriorating health of detained
pilot Nadiya Savchenko and her continued illegal
imprisonment: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the Russian Federation for its illegal
imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko;

[[Page H6184]]

(2) calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release
Nadiya Savchenko;
(3) calls on the United States, its European allies, and
the international community to aggressively support efforts
to release Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained
persons; and
(4) expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 50, introduced by
Representative Levin, calls for the release of former Ukrainian fighter
pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who has been languishing in Russian prisons
since she was abducted by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in
2014, and illegally transferred across the border in handcuffs and with
a bag over her head.
Since she was incarcerated on specious and unsubstantiated charges,
Nadiya has endured interrogations, involuntary psychiatric evaluations
and solitary confinement. She spent four months on a hunger strike as a
symbol of protest, ending it last April. Her trial opened today.
Nadiya is yet another victim of the Putin regime's brutality. We must
recognize that this isn't just about her, but also represents a very
visible manifestation of Russia's aggression towards a Ukraine that
wishes to remain free, independent, and democratic. Nadiya is a symbol
for the struggle of Ukraine.
Madam Speaker, Nadiya Savchenko was elected in absentia to the
Ukrainian Parliament in October and was named a member of Ukraine's
delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. As
such, she enjoys diplomatic immunity.
With its illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine,
Russia has made a mockery of its international commitments, including
all ten core OSCE principles enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act.
Nadiya's illegal detention, along with that of other Ukrainian citizens
held hostage by Moscow, represents yet another in a long list of
violations of international agreements and the norms of civilized
behavior.
According to the Minsk agreements between Russia along with its
separatist proxies, and Ukraine, hostages are supposed to be released.
Moscow needs to immediately release Nadiya and the many other hostages,
including Oleg Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko, who were recently
sentenced in a Russian court on completely baseless charges.
Madam Speaker, my amendment calls for the imposition of personal
sanctions against individuals responsible for the kidnapping, arrest,
and imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and other Ukrainian citizens
illegally incarcerated in Russia.
Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
50, calling on the release of the detained Ukrainian pilot Nadiya
Savchenko.
The Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko was captured by Russia-
controlled forces in July 2014 in eastern Ukraine; illegally
transferred to Russia, and later charged with trumped up charges of
murder. Since then, she has been kept in Russian custody. There can be
little doubt that she is being held as a political prisoner, punished
for her defiance, and used as a bargaining tool in Russia's protracted
offense against Ukraine.
Since her capture, Ms. Savchenko has come to represent the spirit of
an independent Ukraine. A Ukraine that is free from interference and
eager to embrace the will of its own people, striving towards the rule
of law and democracy. We all know that the last two years have been
difficult. Since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, eight
thousand people have been killed, over a million people have been
displaced, and Crimea has become occupied. All the while, meaningful
progress seems elusive as reports of continued fighting make news week
after week.
Amidst all the reports of death and violence, Ms. Savchenko's courage
and spirit have inspired millions of people around the world. Here at
home, the Ukrainian-American community in my home district has followed
her case especially closely. Together, we worried for her health when
she underwent a lengthy hunger strike earlier in the year. And we also
worried for her well-being, as her case suffered repeated and unfair
delays. We now call for her release.
For those of us who have followed human rights issues, it is easy to
see through the repeated delays, the so-called psychiatric evaluations,
and the changes in venues to discourage outside observers. These
tactics are used all too often as tools of intimidation and confusion
by authoritarian regimes.
Ms. Savchenko's trial began earlier today, where journalists were
barred from the courtroom. I have no reason to believe that her trial
will be fair, given the precedents set thus far.
I call for her release, and urge my colleagues to rise in support of
Ms. Savchenko, and in support of the Ukrainian people. Let us send a
unified message in support of human rights around the world.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment to the
text of the resolution at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the
following:
That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the Government of the Russian Federation for
its illegal imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko;
(2) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to
immediately release Nadiya Savchenko;
(3) calls on the United States, its European allies, and
the international community to aggressively support efforts
to release Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained
persons;
(4) reiterates that it is the policy of the United States
not to recognize the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the
Russian Federation over any part of Ukraine, its airspace, or
its territorial waters;
(5) calls upon the United States to impose targeted
sanctions against persons responsible for the kidnapping,
arrest, and imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and other
illegally detained persons; and
(6) expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Amendment to the Preamble Offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment to the
preamble at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:

Strike the preamble and insert the following:
Whereas the trial of Nadiya Savchenko is scheduled to begin
in Russia on September 22, 2015;
Whereas Nadiya Savchenko is the first-ever female fighter
pilot in Ukraine's Armed Forces and is an Iraqi war veteran;
Whereas in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine,
Savchenko volunteered her services to the Ukrainian Aidar
battalion;
Whereas Savchenko was elected in absentia from the
Batkivshchyna Party to Ukraine's Parliament in October 2014,
and appointed to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) as a representative from Ukraine;
Whereas as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
Savchenko was conducting operations in eastern Ukraine
against pro-Russian forces in the summer of 2014 when she was
captured and taken into captivity;
Whereas Savchenko was captured and illegally transferred to
the Russian Federation to stand trial on unsubstantiated
charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegally entering
Russian territory among other allegations;
Whereas while being kept in Russian custody since July
2014, Savchenko's hearing and trial dates have been
repeatedly delayed;
Whereas in protest of her illegal detention, Savchenko
conducted a hunger strike lasting over 80 days;
Whereas her courage and determination have inspired people
across the globe;
Whereas the Minsk Protocol of September 2014, signed by
Ukraine and the Russian Federation, calls for the ``immediate
release of all hostages and illegally held persons'';
Whereas appeals have been made to the United Nations Human
Rights Council and the International Red Cross to secure
Savchenko's release;
Whereas the international community including
representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) and of the United States have urged her
immediate release;
Whereas on January 26, 2015, the opening day of the
Parliamentary Assembly, a broad range of individuals and
organizations in the United States and Europe dedicated to
promoting human rights embarked on a public campaign to bring
attention to Savchenko's plight and demanded her immediate
release;
Whereas on February 12, 2015, the United States Senate
passed S. Res. 52 by unanimous consent, a Resolution calling
for Savchenko's release;
Whereas on April 22, 2015, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
voted unanimously to pass a resolution ``On the imposing of
sanctions on persons responsible for the illegal imprisonment
in the Russian Federation of Nadiya Savchenko'', which
included the names of 35 individuals believed to be
responsible for Nadiya Savchenko's illegal imprisonment; and
Whereas the Government of the United States and its people
express concern about the continued illegal imprisonment of
Nadiya Savchenko: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page H6185]]

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``A resolution
calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko,
who was captured by pro-Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine and has been
held illegally in a Russian prison since July 2014.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

General Leave

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 days to submit statements and extraneous
materials for the Record on H. Res. 50.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.

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