Goodbye - Dosvedanya! Russia excluded from the Council of Europe

In an extraordinary meeting this morning, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, decided, in the context of the procedure launched under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe as from today, after 26 years of membership.

The Russian flag was later lowered from in front of the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg.

When Russia joined the Council of Europe in 1996 it was considered as an important and symbolic step which recognised the transition of the country from totalitarianism to a functioning, even if imperfect democracy.

Having invaded another member state its membership of the organisation, considered as Europe's primary human rights watchdog, was untenable.

source: commonspace.eu
photo: The Russian flag being lowered from in front of the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 16 March 2022.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ousted after just nine months in office

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ousted after just nine months in office

Legislators toppled France’s government in a confidence vote on Monday 8 September, a new crisis for Europe’s second-largest economy that obliges President Emmanuel Macron to search for a fourth prime minister in 12 months. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was ousted overwhelmingly in a 364-194 vote against him. Bayrou paid the price for what appeared to be a staggering political miscalculation, gambling that lawmakers would back his view that France must slash public spending to rein in its debts. Instead, they seized on the vote that Bayrou called to gang up against the 74-year-old centrist who was appointed by Macron last December.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ousted after just nine months in office

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ousted after just nine months in office

Legislators toppled France’s government in a confidence vote on Monday 8 September, a new crisis for Europe’s second-largest economy that obliges President Emmanuel Macron to search for a fourth prime minister in 12 months. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was ousted overwhelmingly in a 364-194 vote against him. Bayrou paid the price for what appeared to be a staggering political miscalculation, gambling that lawmakers would back his view that France must slash public spending to rein in its debts. Instead, they seized on the vote that Bayrou called to gang up against the 74-year-old centrist who was appointed by Macron last December.