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<p>The decision to adopt rules changes that saw the return of the Russian delegation
to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly was a matter for the Assembly, which
is independent from the intergovernmental Committee of Ministers. Russia's membership
of the Council of Europe provides access, valued by Russian citizens and human rights
NGOs, to the European Court of Human Rights and is one of the few ways available to
the international community to hold Russia to account for its human rights violations.
The British government did not, however, support Russia's unconditional return to
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We consistently called on Russia
to fulfil all its obligations as a Member State, including payment of all debts to
the Council of Europe, and to adhere to Council of Europe standards on human rights,
democracy and rule of law. We will continue our efforts in the Council of Europe to
ensure Russia is answerable for its actions. We will also continue to make clear that
we do not and will never recognise Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.</p>
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