The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CMCE) has suspended the right of representation of Russia in it in connection with a serious violation of article number 3 of the charter: it obliges its members to “recognize the principle of the rule of law” and guarantee to all persons under its jurisdiction the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, reports the Air Force.
According to Article 8 of the charter, in such a case, the state is deprived of the right to be represented in PACE, the Committee of Ministers and other bodies. At the same time, the CMCE may propose to the state to withdraw from the Council of Europe, and in case of refusal, to exclude it.
The decision came into force immediately due to Russia’s armed attack on Ukraine, according to a press release from the Council of Europe. At the same time, Russia remains a member of the Council of Europe and a party to the relevant conventions of the Council of Europe, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
The judge elected to the European Court of Human Rights from the Russian Federation also remains a member of the court, and complaints filed against the Russian Federation will continue to be considered and decided by the court.
Suspension of membership is not a final measure, but a temporary one, leaving channels of communication open.