Council of Europe says does not recognize illegal annexation of Crimea

The Committee of Ministers reaffirmed that it does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.

“Committee members expressed their grave concern that the Russian Federation has continuously denied safe and unfettered access to Crimea to the Commissioner for Human Rights and to representatives of other established regional and international human rights monitoring mechanisms. Under the temporary Russian occupation, the human rights situation in Crimea has deteriorated significantly. Multiple grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have not been investigated in a prompt and effective manner,” the statement reads.

The Committee welcomed the Secretary General’s report and her commitment to improving the human rights situation in Crimea, including through participation in the Crimean Platform. Recognizing the paramount importance of an international presence to prevent further deterioration of the situation, the Committee has invited the Secretary General to take all steps necessary, including through a dialogue with all parties concerned, in order to secure immediate and unrestricted access of Council of Europe bodies to the Crimean peninsula.

The Committee also called for Russia to revoke its decision declaring the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People an extremist organization and to lift the ban on its activities.

“Russia is also urged to ensure the safe, secure and unhindered access of international human rights organizations to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol,” the statement concludes.