PACE calls for holding Russia accountable for Wagner PMC crimes

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) believes that Russia bears full responsibility for crimes against Ukraine committed by illegal private military companies—PMC Wagner and Redut.

This is stated in the text of the PACE resolution, “Addressing the risks to human rights and the rule of law posed by mercenaries and private military and security companies,” adopted on the evening of January 28.

The resolution states that Wagner PMC and Redut have committed numerous crimes in Ukraine, and the Russian Federation must be held fully internationally accountable for these actions.

“Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, Russian private military companies whose very existence is prohibited by Russian law, such as the Wagner Group and Redut, have committed numerous acts of torture and extrajudicial executions, including mass executions, of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, as well as targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure,” the resolution says.

“The Russian Federation bears full international responsibility for these actions through its recognized links and the financial and operational support it gave to the Wagner group during its participation in the war, including the use of pardoned prisoners as fighters and coordination with regular forces on the ground,” the Assembly says.

The resolution also notes that these so-called “Russian private military companies” should be distinguished from private military companies (PMCs), which are registered and operate within the legal framework of their respective states.

PACE also said that this industry needs stricter rules because there have been many reports of serious human rights violations by PMCs registered or working in Council of Europe member states.

The approved document asks the member states of the Council of Europe to pass laws that control the activities of PMCs. These laws should include rules for how they can get licenses and be registered, as well as ways to keep an eye on them.

The PACE resolution also emphasizes that the soldiers of the International Legion for the Protection of Ukraine are legal combatants and should be considered members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, not “mercenaries.”

It was also reported that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, promised not to give up on the idea of a special tribunal for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.