The Russian delegation has walked out of the Council of Europe after it voted to suspend Moscow's voting rights over its alleged human rights abuses in Chechnya. The Council voted to start suspension proceedings against Russia unless it substantially improves its human rights record in Chechnya by the end of May. No country has ever been suspended from the 41-nation body in its 51-year history, but the Council's assembly said member country governments should take action if Moscow failed to call a ceasefire and start talks with rebel Chechen leaders. The Strasbourg-based Council is a consultative organisation independent of the European Union and pays special attention to human rights issues. The Council brings together Europe, Canada, the United States and the former Soviet Asian republics and cannot suspend members without the approval of member-state government ministers.
