Russia's Absence In PACE Makes Its Decisions Invalid For Moscow - Senior Lawmaker

The absence of the Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and its decision-making process makes the organization's decisions invalid for Russia, Pyotr Tolstoy, the deputy speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th September, 2018) The absence of the Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and its decision-making process makes the organization's decisions invalid for Russia, Pyotr Tolstoy, the deputy speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, said on Tuesday.

"The non-participation of Russia in the election of a commissioner for human rights, European Court of Human Rights judges, other governing bodies, makes these bodies and their decisions invalid with respect to Russia," Tolstoy said at a plenary session of the Russian State Duma.

The lawmaker also expressed doubt that PACE would change its position when it comes to amending its rules on credentials of national delegations.

PACE is expected to look into a draft report on the organization's decision-making regarding national delegations' credentials and voting rights during its October session.

Relations between Moscow and the Council of Europe deteriorated after PACE deprived the Russian delegation of its voting rights in the wake of Crimea's reunification with Russia in 2014, which has not been recognized by the West.