HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
THE SECRETARY GENERAL WRITES TO THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
There are times the bell rings while you are being questioned. You think you are safe, but at the door the teacher reminds you that you will continue to be questioned the next day. It has happened to everyone, even to those with the highest grades who say nothing however so as not to tarnish their image, and even to the most intelligent, who often admit it because they are the most intelligent. It also happens when school is over and it also happened to the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergej Lavrov, who was reminded in a letter by Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, that Moscow must implement the outstanding judgements issued by the European Court of Human Rights even if it has been expelled from the CoE. In short, not only did the bell ring, but you were sent out of class during lessons, and you still have to do your homework.
The Russian Federation must implement the outstanding judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights even if it is no longer a member of the Council of Europe
Despite the fact that the Russian Federation was excluded from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022, the Kremlin is in fact still required to implement the judgements of the Strasbourg judges relating to the actions committed up to 16 September 2022.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe strongly regrets the fact that since 3 March Russia has ceased all communication regarding the execution of the judgements. In the face of this behaviour, a change of strategy was decided upon. Given the absence of information provided by the Moscow authorities, the contribution provided by civil society was utilised instead, intensifying exchanges with non-governmental organizations operating in the areas concerned. Interaction with UN human rights bodies, of which Russia is still a member, will also be strengthened.
In the future, the Committee of Ministers will consider adopting more general decisions addressing cases involving Russia. In addition, the Council of Europe will regularly publish updated information on all the judgments which are still pending, as well as a register of «"just satisfaction" awarded» which is still unresolved and the interest accrued in penalties in the meantime. An initial budget has already been provided. Experts are currently examining 2,227 cases pending full implementation by the Russian authorities. Information is currently awaited on the compensation of "just satisfaction" in 1,874 cases. As of November 8, 2022, the amount that Moscow ought to pay amounted to more than 2 billion euros.