The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) denounced the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to restore the credentials of the Russian Federation despite being in severe breach of their obligations as a member of the Council of Europe.
In 2014, the Russian Federation had its voting rights suspended, among other sanctions, for its military invasion of Ukraine, illegal annexation of Crimea and ongoing war in eastern Ukraine. The suspension of Russia from the Council of Europe created a considerable budgetary challenge for the European institution as Russia is one of its five largest financial contributors.
PACE fulfils a vital role in promoting cooperation among parliamentarians and uniting democracies around common values and interests. Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine, and continuous violations of international law, undermine these fundamental values.
Furthermore, the Russian Federation continues its human rights violations both within Russia and around the world. These include the poisoning and assassination of political opponents as well as repressions against the ethnic Ukrainian minority and civil society leaders within Russia.
“The Ukrainian World Congress resolutely condemns this ratification of the Russian delegation’s credentials at PACE. The underlining violations which led to the expulsion in 2014 continue to this day. Europe’s democracies have granted the Kremlin impunity to continue invading neighbouring countries and violating human rights and international laws.” – stated UWC President Paul Grod. “We call on all PACE delegations to remain committed to the resolutions of the Assembly and to censure the Russian Federation for their continuing violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the fundamental human rights of its people, including Ukrainians in Russia who suffer considerable repressions.”
Photo: Twitter PACE
