In a significant decision, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe called upon Russian authorities to uphold human rights and international law in Crimea. Meeting between March 4 and 6, 2025, the Committee insisted on reinstating Ukrainian law and urged the immediate release of all Ukrainian political prisoners, including illegally detained soldiers, ethnic Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars, and journalists. Access to legal counsel, medical treatment, and family communication must be guaranteed for these detainees, while the use of torture and ill-treatment was condemned.
The demand for cooperation with international bodies monitoring human rights in Crimea was reiterated, alongside a plea for Council of Europe member states to take every action possible to ensure compliance with this decision. During their meetings, the Committee focused on overseeing the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling in the 2024 Ukraine v. Russia case, which revealed multiple human rights violations since Crimea’s occupation in 2014.
The ECtHR ruled unanimously that Russia had breached numerous articles of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Despite Russia’s exit from the Council of Europe in 2022, the Committee asserted that Russia remains bound by its obligations under the Convention, particularly in implementing ECtHR judgments.
Recently, the European Council also reinforced support for Ukraine through new defensive measures, as president António Costa informed the European Parliament about forthcoming EU actions to address Ukrainian military needs. Concurrently, the Council of the EU and the UK unveiled fresh sanctions against Russia in February 2025. Rights organisations have also strongly condemned the treatment of detainees and imprisoned journalists in Russia.
The Council of Europe urged Russia to honour human rights in Crimea, demanding the release of Ukrainian political prisoners and condemning torture. The Committee’s meetings focused on compliance with a European Court ruling that found multiple violations by Russia. The Council of the EU also introduced new sanctions, supported by measures to aid Ukraine in facing Russian aggression.
The Council of Europe has urged Russia to respect human rights and international law in Crimea, emphasising the need for the immediate release of political prisoners and the cessation of torture. Despite Russia’s withdrawal from the Council, obligations remain in effect, highlighting the ongoing battle for human rights within the region. Additionally, supportive measures from the European Union and international condemnation of human rights violations indicate a unified stance against Russian actions in Crimea.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
