United Nations suspends Russia from the Human Rights Council

Europe, News April 8, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The United Nations General Assembly has voted against the membership of Russia at the Human Rights Council on April 7, 2022

The General Assembly suspended Russia’s membership through majority voting with 93 being in favor of suspension, 24 being against while 58 members abstained from the voting process.

The resolution draft stated that United Nations General Assembly would “suspend the rights of membership in the Human Rights Council of a member of the Council that commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.”

The resolution was put up for voting on the charges of Russia’s human rights violations during its recent invasion of Ukraine. The U.S.-led resolution expressed “grave concerns at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.” The United States announced to seek Russia’s suspension after Ukraine accused Russian forces of killing hundreds of Ukrainian civilians in the town of Bucha.

*^{The UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia’s membership in the UN Human Rights Council. (Image Credit: UN News)}*

Russia repeatedly warned countries that a yes vote or abstention would be viewed as an ‘unfriendly gesture’ with consequences and it would affect bilateral ties.

A UNGA resolution needs at least a two-third majority in voting for the removal of a council member. Russia’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Gennady Kuzmin stated that UNGA’s adopted resolution for Russia’s membership suspension is “an illegitimate and politically motivated step.”

Kuzmin further claimed that Russia had already decided to end or suspend its own membership in the council before the resolution was voted in with a majority.

China was among the 24 countries that decided to vote against the resolution seeking to remove Russia from the Human Right Council membership. China’s ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun stated that this move would further intensify the situation and set a new dangerous precedent.

“China calls on all parties to work together in the same direction so as to create opportunities for peace and prospects for negotiation. China will continue to hold an objection and impartial position and play a responsible and constructive role in this regard,” Zhang said.

^{United Nations General Assembly votes to suspend the rights of the membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council during an Emergency Special Session on Ukraine. (Image Credit: UN/Manuel Elías)}

Russia has always been one of the most vocal members of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Russia’s suspension from the council would bar the representatives from speaking and voting at the Human Rights Council, however, the Russian diplomats can still attend the debates and observe the council meetings.

While speaking before the voting process, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya stated that voting yes for this resolution would “save the Human Rights Council and many lives around the world and in Ukraine”.

Suspension for the United Nations Human Rights Council is a rare move that is brought in actions to assert severe pressure on the suspended member. In 2011, Libya was suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council due to the country’s violence against the protesters who had been protesting against then-leader Muammar Gadafi.