Court in Strasbourg orders Russia to refrain from military action

The European Court of Human Rights has applied Rule 39 against Russia to prevent it from taking “measures which might threaten the life and health of the civilian population on the territory of Ukraine.”

The press release from March 13 reads:

Inter-State case Ukraine v. the Russian Federation

On 13 March 2014 the Government of Ukraine lodged an inter-State application against the Russian Federation. They also submitted a request under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court for an interim measure indicating to the Russian Government, among other things, that it should refrain from measures which might threaten the life and health of the civilian population on the territory of Ukraine.

Considering that the current situation gives rise to a continuing risk of serious violations of the Convention, the President of the Third Section has decided to apply Rule 39 of the Rules of Court. With a view to preventing such violations and pursuant to Rule 39, the President calls upon both Contracting Parties concerned to refrain from taking any measures, in particular military actions, which might entail breaches of the Convention rights of the civilian population, including putting their life and health at risk, and to comply with their engagements under the Convention.