Bohdan Khmelnytsky at the Council of Europe: on human rights, effectiveness of international institutions and prospects for Ukraine
The founder and managing partner of Strategic Advocacy Law Firm, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, is on a working visit to the Council of Europe, where he is learning from the experience of human rights protection and studying the functioning of international judicial institutions. The Council of Europe is the oldest pan-European organization of 46 countries that aims …
The founder and managing partner of Strategic Advocacy Law Firm, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, is on a working visit to the Council of Europe, where he is learning from the experience of human rights protection and studying the functioning of international judicial institutions.
The Council of Europe is the oldest pan-European organization of 46 countries that aims to protect democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It was created after World War II to prevent new conflicts on the continent. However, current realities, in particular Russia’s war against Ukraine, call into question the effectiveness of its mechanisms.
“The Council of Europe should not only address individual human rights violations, but also prevent wars, aggression and attacks on sovereign states. However, we now see that its mechanisms have failed to stop the Russian invasion or prevent brutal human rights violations in the 21st century,” emphasizes Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
In 2024, the Council of Europe celebrated its 75th anniversary, and on this occasion, it adopted a declaration that is supposed to be a roadmap for protecting human rights and security on the continent. However, this document is more symbolic than effective, as it does not provide for specific mechanisms to prevent aggression or hold aggressor countries accountable.
“The 75-year-old Declaration contains the right words about democracy, human rights and peace in Europe. But these words remain on paper if the institutions that are supposed to implement them do not work effectively. The war in Ukraine is the best proof that the current system cannot prevent war crimes and aggression,” Bohdan Khmelnytsky said.
Among the key international human rights institutions of the Council of Europe is the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). It is here that citizens and organizations whose rights have been violated apply.
“The ECHR is the last instance of justice for those who have not received it at the national level. However, the question arises: can international institutions not only record violations but also really influence the aggressors?” Bohdan Khmelnytsky comments.