LONDON (AP) — Russia and Georgia could be suspended from Europe's top human rights body unless the two countries uphold their obligations to prevent abuses in the aftermath of their short but fierce war, the group's head said Monday.
Terry Davis, secretary-general of the Council of Europe, told The Associated Press that both countries breached their obligations when they went to war in August over the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.
Davis did not go into detail but the council's parliamentary assembly last week expressed concern over what it called "credible reports of acts of ethnic cleansing committed in ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia."
Davis said the parliamentary assembly made clear "we're not prepared to have business as usual."
He said that unless the rights situation in Georgia improved both their memberships in the 47-nation grouping could be in jeopardy.
"If there is no improvement in the situation, if we are not satisfied that Georgia and Russia are now fulfilling their obligations, then we will have to consider what action to take," Davis said at the sidelines of a legal conference hosted by the Council of Europe in London.
"That action could be — could be — suspension of a member country from the council," he said.
Davis said he wanted the council to publish a report on Russia-Georgia conflict within the next month that evaluates both sides on a range of human rights issues.
The council has never suspended a country before. However Russia's voting rights in the council's assembly were revoked eight years ago over rights violations in Chechnya. The voting rights were restored a year later.
The Council of Europe was set up after World War II to promote cooperation and human rights. Its parliamentary arm meets several times a year to debate democracy and rights issues.
Members include nearly every country in wes
Terry Davis, secretary-general of the Council of Europe, told The Associated Press that both countries breached their obligations when they went to war in August over the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.
Davis did not go into detail but the council's parliamentary assembly last week expressed concern over what it called "credible reports of acts of ethnic cleansing committed in ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia."
Davis said the parliamentary assembly made clear "we're not prepared to have business as usual."
He said that unless the rights situation in Georgia improved both their memberships in the 47-nation grouping could be in jeopardy.
"If there is no improvement in the situation, if we are not satisfied that Georgia and Russia are now fulfilling their obligations, then we will have to consider what action to take," Davis said at the sidelines of a legal conference hosted by the Council of Europe in London.
"That action could be — could be — suspension of a member country from the council," he said.
Davis said he wanted the council to publish a report on Russia-Georgia conflict within the next month that evaluates both sides on a range of human rights issues.
The council has never suspended a country before. However Russia's voting rights in the council's assembly were revoked eight years ago over rights violations in Chechnya. The voting rights were restored a year later.
The Council of Europe was set up after World War II to promote cooperation and human rights. Its parliamentary arm meets several times a year to debate democracy and rights issues.
Members include nearly every country in wes
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