Thank you to our distinguished Russian colleague for his comments.
I just wanted to clarify that the statement from my delegation was not a request for special treatment of any individuals under the law, it was an expression of concern that, as you said yourself, we have several times made clear that we see the law itself as in tension, or conflict, with Russia’s international obligations and OSCE commitments. Therefore the application of that law in any instance, no matter who it would be applied to, would also be an instance of Russia failing to live up to its international obligations and OSCE commitments.
You’re quite right, we shouldn’t seek special treatment under the law, but we have concerns about the law, and therefore about each instance of the application of the law, which is in tension with Russia’s international obligations and OSCE commitments.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Permanent Council, Vienna
