With immediate effect, Russia is no longer a member of the European Convention on Human Rights. The country announced six months ago that it would withdraw from the agreement after the Council of Europe excluded it because of the war in Ukraine.
The exit has also been formally valid since Friday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) announced. However, the relationship with Russia does not end there. The court still has 17,450 lawsuits pending against the country. They were all filed before the September 16 deadline and should therefore be examined by the court, officials of the ECtHR said.
The European Convention on Human Rights contractually obliges Russia to implement the verdicts of these remaining lawsuits. The question is whether this will actually happen. In early June, the Russian parliament passed laws according to which the authorities do not have to follow the instructions of the ECtHR.
“Further isolation”
Russia’s withdrawal from the convention is regrettable, said the German member of the Bundestag and chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid. “Through this further isolation, Putin ensures that millions of Russians are no longer protected by the European Convention on Human Rights,” said Renata Alt (FDP). For the same reason, the Council of Europe expressed its wish on Monday to be able to accept Russia as a member again in the future.
Neither the Council of Europe nor the European Court of Human Rights are part of the EU. They have a total of 46 member states. Austria joined the convention in 1958.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
