(UN) On Thursday, the UN General Assembly suspended Russia from its seat in the UN Human Rights Council in connection with the invasion of Ukraine, which received 93 votes in favor in a referendum and reflects the erosion of international solidarity against Moscow.
Released at 12:15 p.m.
Of the 193 member states of the General Assembly, 24 voted against the suspension – the second in UN history since the expulsion of Libya in 2011 – initiated by the United States. A further 58 countries did not vote, but those who did not vote, an option condemned by Kiev, did not take into account the two-thirds majority needed only for and against.
Among the countries that voted against, China condemned the “emergency approach”, “oil in the fire” and the “dangerous precedent”. Iran, Kazakhstan and Cuba also voted against. Surprisingly, Russia, Belarus and Syria opposed the resolution proposed on the ballot.
Despite recent pressure from Moscow to vote against countries, many African countries, including South Africa and Senegal, have not voted in favor of the decision to suspend Moscow, which “pre-determined the outcome of the survey” by human rights groups in early March. Council.
Like Brazil, Mexico and India, the UN is currently in power. All three non-permanent members of the Security Council have adopted the same non-voting position. Chile, on the other hand, voted in favor.
According to Washington, Russia’s suspension from the Human Rights Council, which sits in Geneva, is more than an identity, and has increased Moscow’s “isolation” in the international arena since the February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Photo by Andrew Kelly, Reuters
Gen. Kuzmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, along with her representatives continue to react to the results of the referendum on suspending Russia.
Russia has been accused of war crimes and civilian abuse in occupied Ukrainian territories, such as Bautista, which hastened Washington’s suspension from the Human Rights Council.
Moscow has been a non-permanent member of the Council since 2006 because its members are allowed only twice in a row. Its current term ends in 2023. Ukraine is one of the current members of the Council.
Public safety
The resolution, passed by the General Assembly on Thursday, recalls that the latter “suspends the rights of members of the Council who commit blatant and systematic violations of human rights.”
The General Assembly expresses “deep concern” over “the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Ukraine, especially in the face of reports of human rights violations and abuses”. , Sometimes “systemic” and “international violations” are the humanitarian law of the Russian Federation.
The Human Rights Council is the main United Nations body responsible for promoting this area. Created in 2006, it is made up of 47 member states elected by the United Nations General Assembly.
In addition to promoting human rights, the UN The purpose is to continuously review their situation in member countries.
The Council may take up any question or circumstance relating to human rights, including exceptional meetings convened urgently. This was particularly recent for the situation in Ukraine, despite opposition from Moscow or Ethiopia.
In the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly has spoken about the war three times, including in a referendum on Thursday.
On March 2, during the first historic referendum, 141 countries condemned Russia’s invasion and withdrawal.
On March 24, the General Assembly called for unrestricted humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Ukraine. At the time of the vote, 140 countries voted in favor, five against (the same five as on March 2) and 38 abstained.
