BRUSSELS — In a decision opposed by most former Soviet-bloc countries, the parliament of the Council of Europe voted Tuesday to end Russia’s suspension, which began with the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Those voting to restore Russia’s full rights in the council, which is separate from the European Union, argued that if Russia left the organization — as it had threatened to do — it would deny Russian citizens the right to bring cases before the European Court of Human Rights, a part of the council.
Opponents argued that Europe was giving in to the illegal annexation of Crimea …read more
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
