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Back Exclusion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe and suspension of all relations with Belarus

On 16 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision by which the Russian Federation ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe, after 26 years of membership. The decision was made in the context of the procedure launched under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe. As a result, the Russian Federation will no longer participate in the work of the CCPE or any of its subordinate bodies and working groups.

On 17 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers also decided to suspend all relations with Belarus and its rights to participate in all meetings and activities of the Organisation.

Further information:

On 17 March, the Committee of Ministers decided to suspend all relations with Belarus as a result of the country's active participation in the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (See CM/Del/Dec(2022)1429/2.5)
On 16 March, the Committee of Ministers adopted Resolution CM/Res(2022)2 on the cessation of the membership of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe. Russia joined the Council of Europe on 28 February 1996.
On 15 March, the Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopted an Opinion in which it considered that the Russian Federation can no longer be a member State of the Organisation.
On 15 March, the Government of the Russian Federation informed the Secretary General of its withdrawal from the Council of Europe in accordance with the Statute of the Council if Europe and of its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.
On 10 March, the Committee of Ministers decided to consult the Parliamentary Assembly on potential further use of Article 8 of the Statute.
On 25 February, following an exchange of views with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee of Ministers decided to launch the procedure provided by Article 8 of the Statute and agreed to suspend the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Council of Europe, in accordance with its relevant Resolution on legal and financial consequences on the suspension.