In an interview to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the Secretary General today reacted to the news about a draft constitutional law proposed by the Senator Torshin to the Russian Parliament. The law, if adopted, would allow the Russian Constitutional court to decide whether the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights should be executed.

The Secretary General said that he was very concerned about this development, and was in contact with the Russian authorities. “I take this very seriously”, he continued, “but I trust that there will be a thorough debate before any decision is taken as there could be serious consequences both for the Russian Federation and the Council of Europe. I have full confidence that this will be handled in a responsible way by the Russian State Duma. I do not feel that it is necessary to comment further at this stage”.