June 28, 2019

PACE betrays its own principles

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On June 25, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), voted to restore Russia’s voting rights. The vote was 118 in favor of the resolution, 62 against and 10 abstaining. Let us be clear: to regain its seat at the table, Russia did absolutely nothing to justify its reinstatement. 

Here’s the background. In 2014, after Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula – an illegal act condemned by the international community – PACE called the takeover a “clear contradiction of the Statute of the Council of Europe.” At that time, PACE denounced Russia, but did not completely suspend its delegation, hoping to maintain dialogue. Russia’s parliamentary delegation was stripped of its voting rights, its members were not allowed to head committees, and Russia was prohibited from participation in various PACE bodies and missions. Still, Russian delegates could attend and speak at PACE sessions as well as vote on PACE committees. The restrictions were continued in 2015.

In 2016, Russia refused to participate in PACE, claiming that it was being “persecuted” over the issue of Crimea, and in 2017 it stopped paying its membership dues. As a result, Russia faced suspension for non-payment. Before the 2019 summer session of PACE, the Council of Europe met in Helsinki in May. At that time, foreign affairs ministers from member states voted for a declaration that said “all member states should be entitled to participate on an equal basis in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly.” Though Russia was not named, the message was clear: Russia would be welcomed back. Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov then reversed course, saying, “We do not refuse any of our obligations, including financial ones.” Ukraine’s Ambassador to Austria Oleksandr Scherba reacted appropriately in a tweet: “Russia plans to roll into PACE like it rolled into Crimea – unpunished, arrogant and largely unopposed.” 

Then came the PACE session of June 24-28, and the ignominious vote of June 25. In protest, the Ukrainian delegation to PACE walked out. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Facebook that he had tried to convince the leaders of France and Germany that “the return of the Russian delegation to the PACE is possible only after Russia’s compliance with the Assembly’s fundamental requirements,” adding, “Unfortunately, our European partners did not hear us and acted differently.” On June 26, PACE voted to ratify the credentials of the Russian delegation, while emphasizing, yet again, that it is “committed to dialogue as a means of reaching lasting solutions.” According to news posted on the PACE website, “…in return the Assembly called on Russia to fulfill a series of recent Assembly recommendations, citing among other things the release of Ukrainian sailors, cooperation on bringing to justice those responsible for downing Flight MH17, and taking measures to end violations of the rights of LGBTI people, especially in Chechnya.” PACE also said it would debate a report on Russia’s fulfillment of those obligations no later than the April 2020 session. Notice what is not mentioned: the annexation of Crimea and Russia’s war in Ukraine’s east.

The PACE delegations of Ukraine, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia issued a statement on June 26 to underscore: “The unconditional restoration of the Russian delegation’s rights without the Russian Federation honoring any of the Assembly’s numerous demands runs counter to the core values of the Council of Europe and its Statute. This step sends a very wrong signal to the country that has resorted to armed aggression, poisoning of individuals, does not observe human rights of its citizens and does not promote but seeks to destabilize democracies throughout Europe.” The seven delegations said they were returning home for consultations with their governments.

So, the end result is this: as it marks its 70th anniversary, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe – which is supposed to be dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law – has betrayed its principles. One can only question the future of this organization which is now severely compromised.

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