PACE did not allow Putin to be called a terrorist, but recognized him as involved in terrorism

PACE did not allow Putin to be called a terrorist, but recognized him as involved in terrorism Yaroslav Pogonchuk

The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe refused to register the amendment submitted by Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko and his three co-authors. It proposed recognizing Vladimir Putin as a terrorist.

Channel 24 reports with reference to “European Pravda”. However, after the public outcry, the amendment was still considered, but the wording was changed.

Why PACE refused to register the amendment

The incident occurred during the preparation of the resolution “Europe's Commitments for a Just and Sustainable Peace in Ukraine”, which PACE is to consider on Thursday.

The day before, the assembly registered proposals for this document. Oleksandr Merezhko, together with five Ukrainian deputies, including the head of the Verkhovna Rada delegation, and Swede Markus Wichel, submitted an amendment.

It proposed recognizing Vladimir Putin as a terrorist “under whose leadership numerous acts of terror against the civilian population were committed”. However, after the publication of all the parliamentarians' proposals, Merezhko's amendments were not there.

Journalists received an official response from the secretariat, which explained the reason for the refusal. They informed Merezhko in writing that “designating the head of state as a terrorist is tantamount to using offensive and obscene terms, which are inappropriate in an official document of the Assembly.”

The secretariat refers to the fact that amendments cannot contain personal insults. But excuse me, for every international lawyer it is clear that “terrorist” is a legal, juridical term. Moreover, the Assembly has already recognized Russia as a terrorist regime!, – the deputy explained in a comment to journalists.

At the same time, Merezhko noted that the secretariat cannot determine what is considered offensive. According to him, the decision on the amendment should be made by PACE deputies, who can reject it. He considers the refusal to register his proposal an act of political censorship.

PACE changed the wording, but found Putin responsible for terror

Later, a correspondent for “European Pravda” reported that due to the public outcry, the Assembly agreed to register the amendment on the condition that the Ukrainian deputies remove the word “terrorist” from the text in relation to Putin. Merezhko and the other authors agreed.

To consider the amended amendment, the Assembly was forced to deviate from its own procedures and put the amendment to a vote without considering it in committee.

As a result, the following wording was put to a vote: “PACE recognizes that Vladimir Putin must be held accountable for the numerous acts of terror committed against the civilian population during his rule.”

The amendment was supported by 77 deputies, against – 1 (Belgian socialist Christophe Lacroix) voted against, another 6 abstained.

PACE recognized Lukashenko as an illegitimate president

An Ukrinform correspondent reported that PACE adopted a resolution in which it noted that Alexander Lukashenko is not the legitimate president of Belarus. In addition, the Assembly noted that the elections held in the country on January 26, 2025, do not meet international standards.

Democratic elections are impossible without respect for human rights, in particular freedom of expression, assembly and association. The so-called elections organised in Belarus on 26 January 2025 do not meet minimum international standards for democratic elections and lack any democratic credibility, the document says.

In order to comply with its obligations under international law, uphold the values ​​of the Council of Europe and preserve its sovereignty and independence, Belarus must:

• cease all repressive measures aimed at silencing dissent and ensure the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners and their rehabilitation;
• declare an amnesty for all those arrested on political grounds;
• put an immediate end to all acts of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment;
• to ensure the organization of free and fair elections and the observance of civil and political rights and freedoms in accordance with the recommendations set out in previous Assembly resolutions;
• to ensure the peaceful transfer of power after the organization of free and fair elections.