Denunciation on the contrary – Newspaper Kommersant No. 30 (7475) of 02/17/2023

The State Duma on Thursday adopted in the first reading and immediately as a whole a law on the termination of international treaties of the Council of Europe (CE) with respect to Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that “the story with the Council of Europe is over,” but Russia will remain in some conventions of the organization. At the same time, domestic legislation, according to the diplomat, “guarantees a wider range of rights and freedoms than the European Convention on Human Rights.” The document was supported by all factions, but United Russia Vyacheslav Nikonov was especially enthusiastic, saying that “Russia will never again crawl on its knees in front of these.”

The initiative to terminate the international treaties of the Council of Europe with respect to the Russian Federation was submitted to the Duma by the President on January 17. In connection with the termination of Russia’s membership in the Council of Europe on March 16, 2022, 21 international treaties are considered terminated from this date, including the Charter of the Council of Europe, the General Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the European Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism , European Charter of Local Self-Government, European Social Charter.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, presenting the document, noted that the break with the CE has been brewing for a number of years as it “turns into an obedient instrument of the collective West.”

However, the exit from the CE conventions, the diplomat assured, “contrary to various speculations, did not have a negative impact on the human rights protection system in our country: Russian legislation guarantees a wider range of rights and freedoms than the European Convention on Human Rights.”

Commenting on the document on behalf of the Duma Committee on International Affairs, Vyacheslav Nikonov (United Russia) quoted Mikhail Lermontov: “There was love without joy, separation will be without sorrow.” However, this bill still inspired sad feelings for some deputies.

For example, Aleksey Kurinny (KPRF) asked a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whether it would be better to “preserve the opportunity for dialogue.”

“Because Europe is, in principle, a living mechanism: some leaders will change tomorrow, the political situation will change … And is it better to keep the door ajar or tightly closed?” He justified his doubts.

“That’s it, the story is over with the Council of Europe… Western countries used this organization to plant alien values,” Mr. Grushko snapped. Although “where it is beneficial to us, where it suits our interests, of course, we will remain in these conventions,” the diplomat added. Thus, Russia continues to participate in the European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas, the European Cultural Convention, in the conventions on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, on the academic recognition of university qualifications, on the transfer of convicts, on the protection of architectural heritage, etc.

Oleg Smolin (KPRF) expressed his regret over the denunciation of the European Social Charter, which contains “many useful norms regarding education and protection of the disabled.” Alexander Grushko admitted that his feelings on this issue are “no less strong”, but “unfortunately, the legal reality is such that non-members of the Council of Europe cannot remain in this charter.” At the same time, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted that 90% of complaints sent to the European Court of Human Rights related to improper investigation, non-execution of court decisions, conditions of detention, and in these areas, the speaker is sure, “the legal system, the penitentiary system of the Russian Federation has simply revolutionized and this progress is something to be proud of.”

To all that was said, Vyacheslav Nikonov wished to add, in his words, a “terrible thing”: “We really are not like them … It’s high time to get rid of national inferiority complexes and not think about what people who think that LGBT people will think of us values ​​above all.”

At the same time, United Russia commented on Communist Kurinny’s remark about “dialogue” and “doors”, saying that “Russia will never crawl on its knees in front of these people again.” “Let them think whether the doors are open or closed there … What is the largest city in Europe? Moscow. And three-quarters of the territory of Europe – what is it? Russia. Why should we obey?” – Mr. Nikonov finished victoriously.

As a result, the document was supported by all factions, and it was adopted by 384 votes (no one voted against).

Maria Makutina