Russia suspended from UNHRC: The suspension of Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), from the world organization’s leading human rights body, has been hailed by US President Joe Biden, who called it a “meaningful step” by the international community that shows how President Vladimir Putin’s war has turned his country into an “international pariah.”
On April 7, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to adopt a draught resolution proposed by the United States to expel Russia from the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over allegations that Russian troops killed civilians while retreating from towns near Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
UNGA suspended Russia from UNHRC
The resolution ‘Suspension of the Russian Federation’s rights to membership in the UNHRC was passed with 93 votes in favor, 24 votes against, and 58 abstentions. India did not cast a vote. “This is a major move by the international community further highlighting how Vladimir Putin’s war has rendered Russia a worldwide pariah,” stated US President Joe Biden in response to Russia’s suspension from the UNHRC.
Mr. Biden stated that the United States worked hard with its allies and partners throughout the world to encourage this decision because Russia is perpetrating grave and chronic human rights breaches. “Russian forces are committing crimes against humanity.” The UNHRC does not include Russia. As the Council’s Commission of Inquiry investigates Russia’s transgressions and abuses of human rights in Ukraine, Russia will be unable to participate in the Council’s work or propagate its disinformation there following today’s historic vote,” he said.
No permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has ever had their membership in the world organization removed. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations organization whose objective is to promote and preserve human rights across the world. He said the photos of people being raped, tortured, executed — and in some cases, having their bodies desecrated — coming out of Bucha and other places of Ukraine as Russian troops retreat is an assault on our shared humanity.
“Russia’s lies are no match for the incontrovertible evidence of what is going on in Ukraine.” As a result, governments from all over the world have condemned Russia’s unwarranted and violent attack on Ukraine and have pledged their support for Ukraine’s brave people in their battle for independence.
Mr. Biden stated that the United States will continue to engage with responsible governments across the world to gather information in order to hold Russia accountable for the horrors it has perpetrated, put economic pressure on Russia, and isolate Russia on the international stage.
On Russia’s suspension from the UNHRC, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared in a statement that “a wrong has been righted.” “A wrong has been righted today.” Mr. Blinken stated, “The world is sending another unambiguous signal that Russia must terminate its war of aggression against Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and follow the ideals embodied in the UN Charter.”
“By suspending Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), governments all around the world have chosen to hold Moscow accountable today for flagrant and systematic human rights breaches in its premeditated, unprovoked, and unlawful war of choice against Ukraine,” he stated.
“In Ukraine, we’ve seen rising proof of Russia’s callous contempt for international law and human rights, most notably in the deaths and devastation it has wreaked in towns like Bucha, Irpin, and Mariupol. Mr. Blinken stated, “The horrors witnessed around the world appear to be further evidence of war crimes, which serves as yet another indication that Russia has no place in an organization whose principal goal is to advocate respect for human rights.”
In her remarks during the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield called it an important and historic event. “Countries from all over the world have voted to expel Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council for severe and systematic human rights breaches. “We’ve sent a clear message to the world that the suffering of victims and survivors will not be overlooked,” she said.
“After all, this isn’t just about Russia’s culpability.” It’s about standing by Ukraine’s people. It’s also about the UN’s credibility. The world is watching us right now, wondering if the United Nations is ready to tackle this challenge. “They want to know if we’re just a platform for propaganda and a safe haven for human rights violations, or if we’re willing to live up to our highest ideals, which are entrenched in the UN Charter,” she said.
“The international community as a whole has taken a positive stride forward,” Thomas-Greenfield concluded. The Human Rights Council is made up of 47 member states that are elected by secret vote by the majority of the General Assembly members. The General Assembly “may terminate the rights of membership in the Council of a member of the Council who commits serious and systematic abuses of human rights” with a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.