PACE has not recognized elections in Crimea, called for extension of sanctions
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has condemned Russia’s State Duma elections, which were held in the annexed Crimea on the 18th of September.
A resolution titled ‘The political consequences of the Russian aggression in Ukraine’ was adopted on the 12th of October. It states that the act of holding these elections grossly violates international law and also calls into question the legitimacy of those elected to office.
The resolution also includes an amendment proposed by the Ukrainian delegation. It is a recommendation for the EU countries to not lift any sanctions against Russia until Ukraine regains control over certain areas in Donetsk, Luhansk and the Crimea.
On Wednesday, PACE also adopted a resolution on human rights issues in the Crimea, in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and in the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). The resolution assigned responsibility to Russia for the observance of the human rights in these areas as Russia “actually controls these regions”. In addition, the resolution discussed the need to respect the rights and freedoms of the Crimean Tatars.