Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Russian high court examines challenge to European Court ruling

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 31 March 2016
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian high court examines challenge to European Court ruling, 31 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ffcb15.html [accessed 1 June 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

March 31, 2016

By RFE/RL

Russia's Constitutional Court is holding its first hearing under a new law designed to allow Moscow to disregard rulings by international courts.

Legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin in December 2015 allows Russia, in its eyes, to disregard rulings by courts including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) if they are deemed to be in contravention of the Russian Constitution.

Legal experts at the Council of Europe have called for the legislation to be amended, saying it is "incompatible" with the country's international obligations.

The case under examination pertains to two Russian convicts whose rights, the Strasbourg court found in 2013, were violated because they were denied the right to vote.

Russian law does not allow convicts to vote while serving their sentences.

A ruling is due in the coming weeks.

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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