Strasbourg, 12 January 2024 – Following the official notification of the denunciation by the Russian Federation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), the FCNM Advisory Committee in a statement published today expressed its deep regret about the decision which “deprives more than 25 million persons belonging to the Russian Federation’s numerous national minorities from the protection offered by this unique international treaty”.

The Committee reiterated its deep concern about the situation of persons belonging to national minorities, including indigenous peoples, in the country: young men from minorities are over-represented among recruits and fatalities in the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine; persons belonging to national minorities suffer from diminishing language and education rights; human rights defenders advocating for minority rights are subject to severe human rights violations.

The Advisory Committee is also troubled about reports it received from representatives of Ukraine’s national minorities living in Crimea and other territories under temporary control or occupation by the Russian Federation. “On top of the human suffering and destruction of cultural heritage caused by the aggression, persons belonging to national minorities are exposed to human rights violations and assimilation policies by the occupying forces”, the Committee states.

“In line with the Council of Europe’s determination to remain engaged with Russian civil society, the Advisory Committee remains available for dialogue with representatives of national minorities and indigenous peoples from the Russian Federation and expresses its full solidarity with them in their continued struggle for minority rights,” concludes the Council of Europe body.

The full statement is also available in French and Russian. The withdrawal will take effect on 1 August 2024.