Lawyers comment on ECtHR's decision to suspend consideration of complaints against Russia

The cases that Russians had filed with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) before Russia has quitted the Council of Europe should be considered, and the decisions made up to that time should be enforced, the lawyers interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have pointed out.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 16, it became known that the ECtHR, in connection with the Russia's exit from the Council of Europe, temporarily stopped considering complaints received from Russia. One of the last cases considered was the complaint lodged by the "Caucasian Knot".

Despite the fact that Russia has quitted the Council of Europe, the complaints that were found eligible should be considered, Marina Agaltsova, a lawyer, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "These complaints refer to the events that occurred prior to Russia's exit from the Council of Europe. According to the time criterion, Russia is responsible for those violations while it was in the Council; and if compensation is awarded to the victim of violations, then the country must pay it," she said.

The complaints that had been accepted by the ECtHR before March 16 must be considered, and after this date, Russian citizens have no chance to file a complaint, Kirill Koroteev, a lawyer, has confirmed.

"From the legal viewpoint, earlier complaints must be considered; and earlier decisions must be enforced. It is not yet known whether Russia will implement decisions in practice. It will depend on political decisions of Russian authorities," Tatiana Chernikova, a lawyer, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 18, 2022 at 02:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.