RUSSIAN FEDERATION
23/03/2022
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the enlarged agreement European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
16/03/2022
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided, in the context of the procedure launched under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe.
30/12/2021
On 28 December 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation ordered the closure of Memorial International.
Memorial International is an non-commercial organisation which has operated in the Russian Federation since 1992 with a view to “studying political repressions in the USSR and in present-day Russia and promoting moral and legal rehabilitation of persons subjected to political repressions”.
It is one of the most prominent civil society organisations active in the field of human rights protection in the Russian Federation. The closure of Memorial International... read more
21/12/2021
On 14 December 2021, the Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Michael Aastrup Jensen, requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on amendments to the Federal Law “On the Bar and the Legal Profession in the Russian Federation”.
01/12/2021
Moscow/online - The Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation organised the XI International Congress of Comparative Law entitled «Emergency situations: challenges of legal regulation in modern world».
Vice President of the Venice Commission Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie represented the Commission and delivered a report at the plenary session of the Congress on the “Key Issues and Problems of Emergencies in the View of the Venice Commission”.
17/09/2021 - 19/09/2021
Moscow – Representatives of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election assessment mission to advise on the legal framework of the general elections of 17 - 19 September 2021 in the Russian Federation.
06/07/2021 - 09/07/2021
Saint–Petersburg - The Vice President of the Venice Commission, Ms Claire Bazy Malaurie, took part online in the opening session of the high level international conference co-organised by the Council of Europe and the office of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation on the role of the prosecution service in the defence of individual rights and of the public interest.
Ms Bazy Malaurie also participated in a panel discussion on the functions of the prosecution service outside of the criminal law field.
19/05/2021
Following the request for an opinion by the PACE Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee dated 18 December 2020 on the compatibility with international human rights standards of a series of Bills introduced to the Russian State Duma between 9 and 23 November 2020, to amend laws affecting so-called "foreign agents", the Commission’s rapporteurs held a series of online meetings on 7 and 17 May 2021.
First, the rapporteurs exchanged views with the Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council on Constitutional Legislation and State Construction and with the Chairman of the Inte... read more
08/01/2021
By letter dated 18 December 2020, the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe requested the Venice Commission to prepare an opinion concerning the Russian Federation on the compatibility with international human rights standards of a series of Bills introduced by the Russian State Duma between 10 and 23 November 2020, to amend Laws affecting so-called “foreign agents”.
The draft opinion is planned to be submitted for adoption to the 126th Plenary Session in March 2021.
04/12/2020 - 05/12/2020
The Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation and the Venice Commission organised the X International Congress of Comparative Law entitled ”Constitutional evolution in Russia and in the modern world: dialectics of the universal and national”.
Two members of the Commission presented the reports on the place of national identity in a democratic state and on the creation of a democratic state based on the rule of law.
RUSSIA - Request for opinion by the PACE
29/05/2020
At its meeting by videoconference on 27 May 2020, the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) decided to request an opinion of the Venice Commission on the constitutional amendments and the procedure for their adoption in the Russian Federation.
02/03/2020 - 03/03/2020
Moscow – A delegation of the Venice Commission, within the framework of the preparation of the Opinion on some draft Amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation (as proposed by the President of the Russian Federation on 15 January 2020) relating to the execution of decisions by international bodies, travelled to Moscow on 2 and 3 March 2020.
The members of the delegation held meetings with representatives of the authorities of the Russian Federation, with representatives of the Russian academic community and with members of the civil society.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION – request for an opinion
29/01/2020
Strasbourg, Council of Europe - The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights requested the Venice Commission’s opinion on the draft amendment to
the Constitution of the Russian Federation (as proposed by the President of the Russian Federation on 15 January 2020) according to which, international agreements and treaties, as well as decisions by international bodies may apply only to the extent that they do not entail restrictions on the rights and freedoms of people and citizens, and do not contradict the Constitution.
02/12/2019
Moscow – The Chair of the Scientific Council of the Venice Commission professor Jan HELGESEN as well as other members of the Commission participated in the IXth International Congress of Comparative Law. The event was entitled «LEGAL VALUES IN THE FOCUS OF COMPARATIVE LAW» and organised by the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law of the Government of the Russian Federation.
14/05/2019
Saint-Petersburg - The International Conference «Constitutional Identity and Universal Values: the Art of Balance» was held on 14 May 2019 within the framework of the IXth St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. The event was organised by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
Vice President of the Commission Veronika Bilkova delivered a keynote report on the “Human rights and populism”.
07/12/2018 - 08/12/2018
Moscow - The Venice Commission participated in the VIIIth International Congress of Comparative Law entitled “Comparative Law in search of the Constitutional Ideal”. Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Congress took place in Moscow (7-8 December 2018) and was organised by the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation.
15/05/2018
St-Petersburg - the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation organised the International Conference entitled “Constitution in the global change epoch and the goals of constitutional review”, which commenced the work of the VIIIth St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. Secretary of the Venice Commission Mr Thomas Markert, ECtHR Vice-President Ms A. Nussberger, Director General of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law Mr Christos Giakoumopoulos represented the Council of Europe at the event.
15/05/2017 - 16/05/2017
Tavricheskiy Palace, St Petersburg – Ways of improving the functioning of electoral administrations was the focus of an international conference taking place in the Tavrichesky Palais, St Petersburg, Russian Federation, on 15-16 May 2017.
More than 120 participants representing about 40 countries and several international institutions, including chairs and members of central electoral commissions and administrations from Europe and beyond, defined measures needed to improve functioning of electoral administrations and exchange good practices advancing efficiency, visibility and int... read more
04/02/2017
Moscow - The oral finals of the Sixth All-Russian Moot Court Contest “Crystal Themis” on Constitutional Justice for law student teams are held in Moscow
The Contest is organised by the Institute for Law and Public Policy in partnership with the Venice Commission.
The case touches current issues on the protection of economic and environmental constitutional rights, respect for the balance of interests and the state support of small and medium-sized businesses.
Based on the evaluation of written documents prepared by the participants, 8 teams were chosen to meet in the quarter-f... read more
01/12/2016
Moscow – a delegation of the Venice Commission participated in the IV International Congress of Comparative Law entitled “Modern judiciary: international and national dimensions”. More than 90 legal specialists from 9 countries discussed the topic in plenary and then in various workshops.
The event was organised by the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation.
17/05/2016
Saint-Petersburg – The President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio addressed an international conference organised on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the activity of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. The conference, which is part of the St. Petersburg Legal Forum, was devoted to the following topic: “Modern Constitutional Justice: Challenges and Prospects”.
10/05/2016 - 11/05/2016
Moscow - In the framework of a request of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Venice Commission is preparing an opinion on the Law “on undesirable activities of foreign and international organisations”, adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation on 19 May 2015 (Federal Law No. 129-F3 on Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation).
The rapporteurs visited Moscow on 10-11 May to exchange views with the representatives of the State Duma, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor’s General Office, the Human Rights Ombudsman, as well ... read more
27/04/2016 - 28/04/2016
Moscow - a delegation of the Venice Commission travelled to Moscow and Saint-Petersburg to exchange views with the Russian authorities in the framework of the preparation of the final opinion on the amendments to the Federal Law on the Constitutional Court. The delegation held meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, the Constitutional court.
The adoption of the final opinion is planned for the next Plenary session which will take place on 10-11 June 2016 In Venice.
Russia – request for opinion
11/12/2015
PACE’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights requested the Venice Commission’s opinion on the draft law of the Russian Federation which would empower the Constitutional Court to determine whether findings by the international bodies on protection of human rights and freedoms (including those of the European Court of Human Rights ) are to be implemented.
Russia - Vth International Congress of comparative law
01/12/2015 - 02/12/2015
Moscow – Secretary of the Venice Commission Thomas Markert participated in the Vth International Congress of Comparative Law entitled “Constitutional reforms of XXI century: new horizons“. This congress was organized by the Institute of legislation and comparative law of the government of the Russian Federation
19/11/2015 - 20/11/2015
Saint-Petersburg - The Venice Commission supported the final round of the national moot-court competition on constitutional law for law schools students. This event is organised by the Institute for Law and Public Policy (ILPP). The report on this event is available at the site of the ILPP.
Fundamental rights – international conference on implementation of the ECHR judgments
30/10/2015
Moscow State University – The Venice Commission participates in the Conference on “Challenges of Implementation of the Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights: Dialogues about Prisoners’ Voting”. The event is organised by the Council of Europe, Moscow State University, University of Oslo, University of Durham, Higher School on Economics and University of Surrey.
14/10/2015
Moscow - Mr Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission, addressed the Grand Plenary Session of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation. The Institute celebrated its 90th anniversary.
12/10/2015 - 13/10/2015
St. Petersburg – A study visit for judges of the Constitutional Chamber of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Constitutional court of the Russian Federation will take place on 12 and 13 October 2015. The study visit participants will start by attending a public hearing on 12 October. They will then get an insight into the work of the Russian colleagues as well as exchange opinions on a number of issues identified by the Kyrgyz delegation.
This visit is organised jointly with the UNDP office in Bishkek within the projects aimed at supporting the Constitutional Chamber of the Kyrgyz Republi... read more
Request for opinion – PACE – Russia
02/07/2015
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly requested the Venice Commission’s opinion on the compatibility with international standards and human rights and fundamental freedoms, of the Law of 19 May 2015 “on undesirable foreign and international organisations” of the Russian Federation (Federal Law No. 129-F3 on Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation).
Russian Federation - IV International Congress of Comparative Law
03/12/2014 - 04/12/2014
Moscow - Mr Evgeni Tanchev, Vice President of the Venice Commission, will participate in the IV International Congress of Comparative Law on "Space and Time in international and national law" organised by the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation.
21/11/2014
Saint-Petersburg - on 21 November 2014 the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation hosts the final round of the national moot-court competition on constitutional law amongst law schools students. The competition is held every year and is supported by the Venice Commission. This year the Venice Commission is represented by its Member and the former President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia, Mr Aivars Endzins, and a staff member of the Secretariat, Mr Grigory Dikov, who sit as judges in the final round.
13/11/2014 - 14/11/2014
St Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ms Herdis Thorgeirsdottir, Vice President of the Venice Commission, will participate in the II International Arctic Legal Forum on "Protection and sustained development of Arctic: Legal aspect" organised by the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation jointly with the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.
Russia - comparative constitutional law - moot court competition
28/11/2013 - 29/11/2013
St. Petersburg - In co-operation with the Venice Commission, the Institute for Public Law and Policy organise a workshop / moot court competition on the problem of the study and teaching of comparative constitutional law in the Russian universities.
16/09/2013 - 18/09/2013
Moscow - In the framework of the opinion on the amendments to the Law on non-commercial Organisations and the Law on Treason and Espionage, a delegation met with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Prokuratura, the Douma, the Ombudsman's office, Supreme court and the civil society.
Request for opinion - RUSSIA – laws on NGOs and on treason and espionage
05/02/2013
PACE’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights decided to request an opinion from the Venice Commission on two recent Russian laws: the Federal Law on Non-Commercial Organisations of 13 July 2012, and the Federal Law on Treason and Espionage of 23 October 2012.
22/11/2012 - 23/11/2012
St. Petersburg - In co-operation with the Venice Commission, the Institute for Public Law and Policy organised a workshop / moot court on the problem of the study and teaching of comparative constitutional law in the Russian universities.
Conference on "Political Parties in a Democratic Society: legal basis of the organisation and activities" (St Petersburg)
27/09/2012 - 28/09/2012
Russian Federation - Parliamentary elections - Legal assistance to the observation mission of the Parliamentary Assembly
01/12/2011 - 05/12/2011
Moscow - At the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission ensures legal assistance to the Election Observation Mission of the Assembly in the context of the parliamentary elections of 4 December 2011.
Russia - Round Table of the Russian Regional Ombudsmen
22/11/2011 - 23/11/2011
Samara - The Venice Commission participates in a round table on “Promoting independent national non-judicial mechanisms for the protection of human rights, especially for the prevention of torture”, organised in the framework of the Joint European Union – Council Of Europe Programme “Peer-to-Peer II Project”.
Round Table of Russian Regional Ombudsmen - Samara, Russian Federation - Report "Relations between the Ombudsmen and the Judiciary"
22/11/2011 - 23/11/2011
27/10/2011 - 29/10/2011
Moscow / Saint Petersburg - The President of the Venice Commission participates in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.
18/11/2010 - 20/11/2010
St. Petersburg - Conference in co-operation with the Institute of Law and Public Policy and under the aegis of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation on "European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the XXIst Century: Practice, Problems and Prospects of Implementation"
Russia - Constitutional Justice - conference on "Property, free enterprise and constitution - new and old questions"
20/11/2009 - 21/11/2009
St. Petersburg - In co-operation with the Institute for Public Law and Policy and under the aegis of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, a Conference on "Property, free enterprise and constitution - new and old questions".
20/06/2008 - 21/06/2008
Moscow - In co-operation with the Moscow Institute for Public Law and Policy and under the auspices of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the Commission organises a conference on "Constitutional values".
Russian Federation - Electoral issues - Constitutional guarantees for electoral rights
28/04/2008 - 29/04/2008
Moscow - The Venice Commission organises a seminar on "Constitutional guarantees for electoral rights" with the Moscow International Institute for Foreign Relations
Round Table on the participation of foreigners in elections (Moscow)
27/05/2005 - 27/05/2005
Seminar UniDem "Direct Democracy: Referendum as a Tool of Citizens’ Participation in Public Life
03/10/2003 - 04/10/2003
UniDem Seminar in co-operation with the Information Centre of the Council of Europe in Moscow on "Direct Democracy: Referendum as a tool of Citizens' Participation in Public Life" (Moscow)
03/10/2003 - 04/10/2003
Workshop on the Relationship of Central Constitutional Courts and Constitutional Courts of Federated Entities (Petrozavodsk)
22/09/1997 - 24/09/1997
Conference on Federalism (Moscow)
15/02/1994 - 18/02/1994
UniDem Seminar "Transition to a new model of economy and its constitutional reflections" (Moscow)
18/02/1993 - 19/02/1993