The Council of Europe welcomed the 22 February votes...

The Council of Europe welcomed the 22 February votes by Ukraine's parliament to abolish the death penalty and ratify Protocol No. 6 of the council's human rights convention. "This important step brings the general abolition of the death penalty in Europe nearer, which is one of the main priorities of the organization," the council press service cited Lord Russell-Johnston, president of the council's Parliamentary Assembly, and Walter Schwimmer, council secretary general. "It also demonstrates Ukraine's desire to meet commitments made to enter the Council of Europe and continue its integration into the family of European peoples that are free from capital punishment." Russell-Johnston and Schwimmer said the council will help Ukraine in every way to strengthen the rule of law and protect human rights, the council press service told Interfax.