Mediterranean Ombudsman Association suspends Russia’s membership

Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatyana Moskalkova reportedthat the Governing Council of the Mediterranean Ombudsman Association (AOC) has suspended Russia’s membership. According to her, the decision was made on the basis of the recommendation of the AOC executive committee, which “unfoundedly accused the Russian national human rights institute of violating the association’s charter.”

As the Ombudsman clarifies, the Council justified the suspension of membership by her position regarding the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which, according to the AOC, indicates Ms. Moskalkova’s dependence on the authorities. Tatyana Moskalkova claims that for two years since the Russian Federation joined the AOS in 2021, she has complied with all the provisions of the association’s charter, and her, Ms. Moskalkova’s, activities are “transparent, impartial and independent.”

“Members of the Board of Governors do not see or do not want to see my work to protect human rights and help people… They are trying to impose their political views and force me to recant my position on current events, which is an attempt to undermine the independent status of the Ombudsman,” — Tatyana Moskalkova said in a statement.

She is convinced that Council members “put their personal political ambitions above the humanitarian mission of the association and undermine the authority of a respected international platform.” “Restricting the international activities of the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation will only lead to further degradation of the system of national human rights institutions and will reduce the effectiveness of international protection of human rights,” the Ombudsman added.

In April 2022, Russia was expelled from the UN Human Rights Council. Yesterday, October 10, the Russian Federation was not elected to the UN Human Rights Council for 2024–2026 due to a lack of votes required for this.

Laura Keffer