PACE Demands Russia to Cease its Aggression on Ukraine

28-04-2022

Manon Picard

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) met on the 27th of April 2022 and discussed the Russian aggression over the sovereign territory of Ukraine as well as the need to guarantee international peace and security. 

Firstly, PACE urged Russia to immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine as this is in violation of international law. The Assembly reiterated the essential need for common actions taken by the international community to defend and protect “democratic world order”. Additionally, PACE also discussed the appearance of a “new dividing line” in Europe, the rise in inflation leading to food insecurity and the rise of energy costs. Moreover, the Assembly stated that there was mounting evidence that Russia is in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law and that its aggression against Ukraine has caused the biggest humanitarian crisis faced by Europe since the Second World War. 

Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic also spoke during the Assembly’s meeting. In direct reference to the situation in Ukraine, Mr. Mattarella underlined the importance of the Council of Europe as “co-operation reduces opposition, counteracts conflict and it increases the chances of a positive settlement of disputes”. Furthermore, Mr. Mattarella expressed the responsibility of the international community to guarantee peace and security and not solely bilateral relations. Finally, the President of the Italian Republic made reference to the ongoing war in comparison to the events that had occurred during the First World War and Second World War by stating the following: 

“War is a voracious monster, never satiated. The temptation to multiply conflicts is the backdrop to the belligerent action undertaken by Moscow. The devastation wrought on the rules of the international community could spread its effects if we fail in stopping this drift now. We must be able to avert the danger of an escalation of warlike adventures that, as experience teaches us, would be difficult to contain. We must be able to oppose all this with a resolute will for peace”. 

Sources and further reading:

Council of Europe. (2022, April 27). “Guaranteeing security and peace is a responsibility of the entire international community” says President of Italian Republic Mattarella at PACE. Newsroom – Council of Europe. Retrieved on April 28, 2022, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/-guaranteeing-security-and-peace-is-a-responsibility-of-the-entire-international-community-says-president-of-italian-republic-mattarella-at-pace

Council of Europe. (2022, April 27). Russian Aggression Must Stop, Assembly Urges. Newsroom – Council of Europe. Retrieved on April 28, 2022, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/russian-aggression-must-stop-assembly-urges