The Council of Europe said Friday it is suspending all representatives of Russia from participation in the pan-European rights body.

Permanent representatives of its 47 member states “agreed to suspend the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Council of Europe,” invoking Article 8 of its statute, a statement said.

The decision takes effect immediately and affects the rights of representation of Russia in the Committee of Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). However the decision does not affect the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is part of the Council of Europe.

(With input from agencies)