Ukraine: UN Suspends Russia From Human Rights Council Over Bucha Massacre

UKRAINE – UN General Assembly on Thursday suspended Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council over Ukraine

iexclusivenews understands that UN suspended Russia over reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” by invading Russian troops in Ukraine.

The US-led initiative received 93 votes in favor, 24 votes against, and 58 abstentions.

Suspension of Russia from the Geneva-based Human Rights Council required a two-thirds majority of voting members of the 193-member General Assembly in New York. Abstentions are not taken into account.

Suspensions are uncommon. Libya was suspended in 2011 due to violence perpetrated by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi against protesters.

It was the third resolution adopted by the 193-member General Assembly since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The two previous UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia received 141 and 140 votes in favor, respectively.

The resolution, which was passed on Thursday, expressed “grave concern” over the ongoing human rights and humanitarian situation in Ukraine. particularly claims of Russian human rights violations.

Russia claims to be conducting a “special military operation” aimed at destroying Ukraine’s military infrastructure while denying striking civilians. Ukraine and its allies claim that Moscow invaded without warning.

This online news outlet gathered that according to a note seen by Reuters. Russia had warned countries that a yes vote or abstention would be perceived as a “unfriendly gesture” with ramifications for bilateral ties.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Geneva-based council, which cannot make legally enforceable decisions, was in its second year of a three-year tenure for Russia. Its rulings, on the other hand, carry crucial political messages and can authorize probes.

Moscow is one of the council’s most outspoken members, and its suspension prevents it from speaking or voting. According to authorities, diplomats could still attend deliberations. “They’d almost certainly try to sway the Council through proxies,” a Geneva-based official added.

Since Russia’s incursion, the council has begun an investigation into claims of human rights breaches, including probable war crimes, in Ukraine.

Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s United Nations Ambassador, claimed that a yes vote would

 “save the Human Rights Council and many lives throughout the world and in Ukraine,” while a no vote would be “pulling a trigger, and implies a red dot on the screen – red as the blood of the innocent lives lost.”

After Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of people in the village of Bucha, the US declared that it would pursue Russia’s suspension. find out more

Gennady Kuzmin, Russia’s deputy United Nations ambassador, stated, now was not the time for “theatrical performances,” accusing Western countries and allies of attempting to “destroy current human rights architecture.”

“We reject the untruthful allegations against us based on staged events and widely circulated fakes,”

Kuzmin told the General Assembly before the vote, defending Russia’s record as a Human Rights Council member.

Meanwhile iexclusivenews Nigeria reports that following its abstention in the previous two General Assembly votes. Russia’s ally China voted against the resolution on Thursday.

“Such a hasty move at the General Assembly, which forces countries to choose sides. Will aggravate the division among member states. Intensify the confrontation between the parties concerned – it is like adding fuel to the fire,” China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun said before the vote.