On 11 May 2021, the supreme governing body of the Council of Europe approved the decision, initiated by Ukraine, “Human rights situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)”. 41 countries voted for it.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe once again reaffirmed that its position regarding support for the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine remain unchanged and called on the Russian Federation to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

The document condemns the occupation of the peninsula by the Russian Federation, which undermines the norms of international law and the principles of the Council of Europe. It concludes a significant violation of human rights in Crimea by Russia, as an occupying state.

Among other things, the decision of the CM CE contains an appeal to the Russian Federation to release all unlawfully detained Ukrainian citizens, as well as to revoke the illegal ban on the activities of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.

Even more crucial has been the invitation of the Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor the situation on the peninsula on a regular basis. The decision also provides for the reporting by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the Committee of Ministers, at least once a year, on the human rights situation in the occupied peninsula.

In this context, the principled position remains on the provision by Russia of full and unhindered access to the territory of occupied Crimea to the human rights bodies of the Council of Europe in order that they can carry out their monitoring activities according to principles and norms of international law, with full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, taking due account of the Ukrainian legislation and the status of Crimea as a temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

The adoption of this decision confirmed that the issue of Crimea will continue to be in the spotlight of the Committee of Ministers. The document toughens the policy of the international community regarding non-recognition of the attempt to annex Crimea and contribute, in particular, to the implementation of the Ukrainian initiative to create the Crimean Platform, and, in the future, to the de-occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Ukraine is grateful to the countries, including Denmark, that supported the decision, that became a significant contribution of the Council of Europe to ensuring democratic security and stability on the European continent, as well as to protecting the basic values and principles of this organization – the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.