UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CONGRESS: PACE HAS BETRAYED THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PRINCIPLES
June 25, 2019
Following the restoration of the rights of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ukrainain Canadian Congress National President Alexandra Chyczij issued the following statement:
Yesterday, under cover of night, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in a vote of 118-62, voted to restore the Russian delegation's voting rights, allowing members of the Russian delegation to once again lead committees and to participate in PACE's governing bodies.
The Russian delegation's rights at PACE were suspended in 2014 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's occupation of Crimea continues, Russia's war against Ukraine has cost over 13,000 lives, over 100 Ukrainian citizens are jailed illegally by Russia, and the Russian regime has not faced consequences for shooting down Flight MH 17. None of the resolutions passed by PACE have been adhered to by Russia.
With its decision to reinstate the rights of the Russian delegation, PACE has betrayed the Council of Europe's principles of defence of human rights, democracy and rule of law. History shows that there is great danger in appeasement of a criminal regime. Appeasement inevitably begets more war and aggression.
The UCC stands with the Ukrainian people, who are today risking their lives defending the freedoms, liberties and values for which the Assembly once stood.
The UCC thanks all delegates to PACE who voted against the resolution and thereby upheld the Council of Europe's principles.
