PACE Ratifies Russian Delegation’s Credentials

Russian delegates can vote now. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ratifies Russian delegation’s credentials. Russian delegates can vote now. However, in return the Assembly called on Russia to fulfil a series of recent Assembly recommendations, citing among other things the release of Ukrainian sailors, co-operation on bringing to justice those responsible for downing Flight MH17, taking measures to end violations of the rights of LGBTI people, especially in Chechnya, and investigation the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. Ukrainian delegation left Council of Europe assembly in protest at readmission of Russian MPs. Russia has not participated in the assembly since 2015. Because of the annexation of the Crimea and the support of the separatists in the east of Ukraine, Russia was deprived of its right to vote and participate in the work of the Assembly. Since 2017, due to this situation, Russia has stopped paying contributions to the Council of Europe budget and threatened to leave the organization. France, Germany and a number of other countries were in favor of returning the powers of the Russian delegation. On June 25, the PACE by a majority vote adopted amendments to the regulations and a resolution that allows the Russian delegation to return to work in the assembly. After that, the delegations of Ukraine and Georgia challenged the powers of the Russian delegation. Russian deputies warned that Russia will withdraw from the PACE, if the assembly retains at least some restrictions introduced earlier. golos-ameriki.ru