Rinkevics calls on Council of Europe to explore ways to bring Russia to justice for its actions in Ukraine

• Published date: 20 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, May 20 (LETA) - Today, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity), took part in the 132nd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Turin, Italy, LETA was told by the Foreign Ministry.

"We meet at the time when the values, principles and standards of the Council of Europe are under attack and must be protected more than ever. Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine is an assault on all international laws. Latvia stands with Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, and democratic future. We are helping and will help Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in every possible way. Latvia reiterates its strongest condemnation of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, daily attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Council of Europe has no place for a member illegally invading a sovereign country and committing horrifying war crimes. By excluding Russia from the organization, we showed our resolution and restored our credibility,'' the Latvian foreign minister said.

''The Council of Europe must help Ukraine to rebuild its future through helping the country, among other things, become a member of the Council of Europe Development Bank. I also invite the Council of Europe to explore effective ways of invoking Russia's accountability for the violations and crimes committed in Ukraine. The proposal by the Parliamentary Assembly to establish an ad hoc tribunal could be one of the ways forward," Rinkevics added in his remarks.

The Minister drew the participants' attention to the fact that in 2022 Latvia marks twenty-five years since it ratified the European Convention on Human Rights...