UNGA suspends Russia from Human Rights Council after Bucha killings; India abstains from votes
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council. The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday voted to suspend Russia from the world organization’s leading human rights body over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian troops in Ukraine, which the United States and Ukraine have called war crimes.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said that India has refrained from the resolution regarding suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council passed in the United Nations General Assembly today.
India said, “We continue to remain deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation and reiterate our call to end all hostilities. When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy should prevail as the only viable option.” The recent reports of civilian killings in Buka are deeply disturbing. We categorically condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation.”
The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstaining, far short of votes on two resolutions adopted by the assembly last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, the withdrawal of all Russian troops and protection for civilians. Both of those proposals were ratified by at least 140 countries.
Russia is the second country to have been stripped of its membership rights in the Human Rights Council established in 2006. In 2011, the assembly suspended Libya after turmoil in the North African country brought down longtime leader Moammar Gaddafi.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield launched a campaign to have Russia suspended from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council after video and photos of streets in the city of Buka scattered civilian bodies after Russian troops retreated. , The deaths have sparked a global revolt and calls for tougher sanctions on Russia, which has denied that its troops were responsible.
(AP input)