Council of Europe suspends Russia over Ukraine invasion
Russia's and Ukraine's flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Council of Europe said on Friday that it is suspending all representatives of Russia from participation in the pan-European rights body over Moscow's attack against Ukraine.
Permanent representatives of its 47 member states "agreed to suspend the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Council of Europe," invoking Article 8 of its statute, the body said in a statement.
The Council of Europe is an organisation formed after the Second World War to protect human rights and the rule of law. The Council of Europe is separate from the European Union.
Earlier today, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is considering whether to suspend Russia as a member, and a decision is due soon, a day after Moscow invaded Ukraine.
"The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on the initiative of Ukraine and Poland, launched the procedure for suspending Russia's membership in the Council of Europe. Final decision coming soon," Morawiecki wrote on Twitter.