Russia was kicked out of UN Human Rights Council by votes on the UN General Assembly

“According to Reuters on Apr 7th, the UN General Assembly voted in favor of suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over reports of gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights in its aggression against Ukraine.

The U.S.-led proposal garnered 93 votes in favor, 24 votes against and 58 abstentions. According to the rule of procedure of the UN General Assembly, a two-thirds majority of voting members, excluding abstentions, was needed to suspend Russia from the 47-member Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the UN sent a clear message that the suffering victims and survivors would not be ignored. A persistent and egregious human rights violator would not be allowed to occupy a position of leadership on human rights at the UN.

It was learnt that Russia warned countries before the vote that a yes vote or abstention would be viewed as an unfriendly gesture with consequences for bilateral ties. Nevertheless, the resolution successfully got Russia kicked out of the UN Human Rights Council in the end. There have been three resolutions adopted by the 193-member General Assembly since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24th, where the previous two resolutions denouncing Russia were passed with 141 and 140 votes in favor respectively. After abstaining on the previous two votes, Moscow’s partner CCP was unequivocally on Putin’s side, opposing the resolution.”