On 5 April 2022, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a statement condemning in the strongest terms the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which was preceded and is accompanied by ultra-nationalist political discourse and propaganda and has resulted in the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people. This aggression led the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, after having consulted the Parliamentary Assembly, with no other choice than to end the 26-year membership of the Russian Federation in the Organisation on 16 March 2022. This decision also terminated ECRI’s monitoring work regarding racism and intolerance in the Russian Federation. ECRI also recalls once more that, in times of conflict or other crisis, just as in ordinary times, politicians and other public figures must refrain from any form of ultra-nationalist and racist hate speech and should challenge any such manifestations of hatred.

From 15 to 20 May 2022, a delegation of the Commission visited Georgia, including facilities accommodating people in need who fled the war in Ukraine. The delegation also met with members of the Azeri and Muslim minority groups. The aim of the visit was to gather information on effective equality and access to rights; hate speech and hate-motivated violence; and integration and inclusion. Following this visit, ECRI will adopt a report in 2023, in which it will make a new set of recommendations on measures to be taken by the authorities to address racism and intolerance in the country.