The process of Russia’s exit from the Council of Europe

Abstract

Membership of the Russian Federation in the Council of Europe has been controversial from the start. Russia has been repeatedly suspended from the Council of Europe for numerous violations of fundamental human rights and there has been speculation about Russia’s exclusion from the organization. The direct cause of Russia’s exit from the Council of Europe system turned out to be armed aggression against Ukraine, however it can be noted that this process was long-lasting. This article will present more than 25 years of Russia’s membership in the Council of Europe. First of all, the history of Russia’s membership in the Council of Europe will be presented, then Russia’s position as a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, selected violations of human rights during armed conflicts, historical reasons that influenced the exit of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe and the reform of the legal system in Russia.