Ukraine war: Russia quits council of Europe before vote on expulsion

 

Now Russia has quit the council of Europe which is the continent's leading human rights watchdog this comes as the country was expecting expulsion as it continues its invasion of Ukraine Russia's decision comes hours before members were due to vote on the country's expulsion from the group which could have had concrete consequences the group had already suspended Russia's membership on the 24th of February the day that Russia invaded Ukraine that is the council of Europe adopted a resolution on Tuesday it said that Russia should be pushed out as in the common European home there is no place for an aggressor the resolution was adopted unanimously with Russia's exit Russians will no longer be able to appeal to the European court of human rights against their government Greek prime minister said and i'm quoting here the decision is not against the people of Russia it is against the autocratic kleptocracy oppressive regime of Putin Russia on the other hand has accused western countries of undermining the human rights body the pan-European group was founded in 1949. it was tasked to uphold human rights and rule of law since its formation after world war ii Russia joined the grouping in 1996. it has become the second country to leave the group first country to do so was Greece in 1969. Greece had also left the group to avoid expulsion however it rejoined this group after restoring democracy five years later.