UN General Assembly Suspends Russia From Human Rights Body
A general view of an emergency special session of the U.N. General Assembly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S. April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew KellyREUTERS
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Geneva-based Human Rights Council on Thursday with the U.S.-led push garnering 93 votes in favor, while 24 countries voted no and 58 countries abstained.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York; writing by Susan Heavey)
UN suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine
The United Nations General Assembly has suspended Russia from the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (HRC) over reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” by invading Russian troops in Ukraine.
This content was published on April 7, 2022 - 18:21The US-led push on Thursday garnered 93 votes in favour – including from Switzerland – while 24 countries voted no and 58 countries abstained. A two-thirds majority of voting members (abstentions do not count) was needed to suspend Russia from the 47-member council.
Suspensions are rare. Libya was suspended in 2011 because of violence against protesters by forces loyal to then-leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The resolution adopted by the 193-member General Assembly draft expresses “grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine”, particularly at reports of rights abuses by Russia.
Russia had warned countries that a yes vote or abstention would be viewed as an “unfriendly gesture” with consequences for bilateral ties.
Vocal member
Russia was in its second year of a three-year term on the HRC, which cannot make legally binding decisions. Its decisions send important political messages, however, and it can authorise investigations.
Moscow is one of the most vocal members on the Council and its suspension bars it from speaking and voting, officials say, although its diplomats could still attend debates. “They would probably still try to influence the Council through proxies,” said a Geneva-based diplomat.
Last month the HRC opened an investigation into allegations of rights violations, including possible war crimes, in Ukraine since Russia’s attack. Moscow says it is carrying out a “special operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.
The US had announced it would seek Russia’s suspension after Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of civilians in the town of Bucha.
Russia denies attacking civilians in Ukraine. UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Tuesday that while Bucha was under Russian control “not a single civilian suffered from any kind of violence”.
Russia suspended from UN Human Rights Council over Ukraine war, Israel backs measure
The resolution adopted by the 193-member General Assembly draft expresses "grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine," particularly at reports of rights abuses by Russia.
UN member states vote to affirm the suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council | Photo: AP/John Minchillo
