Russia withdraws from the Council of Europe

The announcement came after the pan-European human rights body adjourned Russia’s representation rights on 25 February, due to the war it started in Ukraine.

Following the withdrawal, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused both NATO and EU of “undermining” the European body.

“Russia does not intend to put up with these subversive actions carried out by the collective West in line with the imposition of a ‘rules-based order’ to replace international law trampled by the United States and its satellites.

“Russia will not participate in the transformation by NATO and the EU obediently following them of the oldest European organisation into another platform for incantations about Western superiority and narcissism. Let them enjoy communicating with each other, without Russia,” he commented.

The Russian decision more likely came in order to avoid further expulsion from the CoE, as most of its members do not agree with Russia invading Ukraine and the ongoing war in the area.

Despite the pan-European human rights body suspending the country’s representation rights, Russia was not excluded from the Council of Europe and can further attend to the Council of Europe conventions, European Convention on Human Rights included.

“Suspension is not a final measure but a temporary one”, the Strasbourg body commented on the suspension day, February 25th.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the entire world condemns the atrocities committed by the Russian army over Ukrainian civilians. CoE representatives also commented:

“[We] condemn in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, an unjustified military attack of one member State of the Council of Europe against another Member State. We reiterate our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.”

Meanwhile, Russia issued a list of “unfriendly” countries and the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia,  Dmitry Medvedev, declared that the recent withdrawal from the CoE’s human rights body may empower his country to reinstitute the death penalty.

 “[It is a] good opportunity to restore a number of important institutions to prevent especially serious crimes, such as the death penalty for the most dangerous criminals. […] By the way, [death penalty] is actively used in the USA and China,” he commented.

Russia became a member of the Council of Europe in 1996.

 

Source: euractiv.com