Council of Europe urges Russia to respect human rights and international law in Crimea News
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Council of Europe urges Russia to respect human rights and international law in Crimea

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe issued a set of decisions on Tuesday for the Russian authorities to follow concerning the situation in Crimea.

The Committee of Ministers issued the decisions following meetings between March 4 and 6, 2025. In the meetings, the Committee of Ministers urged Russian authorities to restore Ukrainian law in Crimea. Another measure urged Russia to “immediately release, and ensure the safe return to the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian authorities, of all Ukrainian political prisoners…as well as of all illegally detained Ukrainian soldiers, ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars and journalists.” Moreover, these prisoners shall be given access to legal advice, medical treatment, and communication with their relatives. The Committee of Ministers further denounces Russian use of torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

The decision presses Russian authorities to cooperate with international bodies monitoring the human rights situation in Crimea. Council of Europe member states are requested to adopt all possible measures to ensure the execution of this judgment.

The Committee of Ministers’ meetings sought the supervision of the execution of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) 2024 judgment in Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea). The case was brought under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) which allows inter-state cases. The ECtHR concluded Russia had committed several violations since the occupation of Crimea in 2014. Despite Russia withdrawing from the Council of Europe in 2022, the Committee of Ministers held Russia “remains bound by obligations under the Convention, including to implement judgments of the European Court, in accordance with Article 58 of the Convention.”

The European Council, a European Union institution, has also recently adopted further defensive measures in support of Ukraine. António Costa, president of the European Council reported to the European Parliament further measures to be adopted by the EU to meet Ukrainian military and defensive needs. In the meantime, in February 2025 both the Council of the EU and the UK introduced new packages of sanctions against Russia. Rights organizations also denounced Russian acts in relation to the ill-treatment of detainees and imprisoned journalists.

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