UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted to suspend Russia from the UN’s top human rights body over allegations that Russian troops in Ukraine are involved in human rights abuses committed by the United States.
It was a rare, if not unprecedented, reprimand against one of the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the vote a “historic moment”, saying: “We have collectively sent a strong message that the suffering of the victims and the survivors will not be ignored” and that Russia must be held accountable “for this unprovoked , unjust, unconscious war “.
Thomas-Greenfield has launched a campaign to oust Russia from the UN Human Rights Council following videos and photos showing streets in the city of Bucha on the outskirts of the capital Kiev, strewn with civilian bodies after Russian troops retreated.  The deaths have sparked global outrage and calls for tougher sanctions on Russia, which has vehemently denied that its troops are responsible.
US President Joe Biden said the vote showed how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war “made Russia an international outcast.”  He pledged to continue working with other nations to gather information to hold Russia accountable, increase pressure on its economy and isolate it on the international stage.
Russia is only the second country to have its membership rights revoked.  The other, Libya, was suspended in 2011 by the assembly when unrest in the North African country toppled longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The Geneva-based Human Rights Council is responsible for identifying and approving investigations into human rights abuses, and periodically reviews the human rights situation in all 193 UN member states.
He has set up commissions of inquiry – which provide the highest level of scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses and abuses – over conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, the Palestinian territories and elsewhere.  He has also set up search missions in places like Libya, Myanmar and Venezuela.
The vote on the US-sponsored resolution on Russia was 93-24 with 58 abstentions, significantly lower than in two resolutions passed by parliament last month calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. of Russian troops and protection of civilians.  Both resolutions were adopted by at least 140 nations.
Russia’s deputy ambassador, Gennady Kuzmin, said after the vote that Russia had already withdrawn from the council before the assembly took action, apparently awaiting a result.  With his resignation, council spokesman Rolando Gomez said Russia had avoided being stripped of its observer status in the rights body.
Kuzmin said Russia considered the passage of the resolution “an illegal and politically motivated step” by a group of countries with “short-term political and economic interests” that it blamed for “blatant and massive human rights violations.”
The 47-member Human Rights Council was set up in 2006 to replace a committee that was discredited due to the inadequate rights status of some members.  The new council soon faced similar criticism, including that rights abusers sought seats to protect themselves and their allies and to focus on Israel.
Along with Russia, four other permanent members of the UN Security Council – Britain, China, France and the United States, who rejoined this year – are currently serving three years on the Human Rights Council.  Other members with widely contested rights records include China, Eritrea, Venezuela, Sudan, Cuba and Libya.
While almost half of the 193 UN member states supported the resolution, more than half either voted against it, abstained or did not vote for it.
Explaining their decision not to support the resolution, some countries called it premature, noting that there were ongoing investigations into whether war crimes had taken place or whether they would undermine the credibility of the Human Rights Council and the United Nations.  Others said the resolution reflected US and European geopolitical agendas and what opponents called Western hypocrisy and selective rage for human rights.
In addition to the Human Rights Council investigation led by former Norwegian judge Erik Mose, who previously served as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine.
Ahead of the vote, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, urged members of the assembly to prevent the Human Rights Council from “sinking” and suspending Russia, saying it had committed “horrific violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” with war crimes and crimes against humanity “.
“Russia’s actions are beyond pale,” he said.  “Russia not only commits human rights abuses, but also undermines the foundations of international peace and security.”
In a document released by Russia and received by the Associated Press, Russia said that the United States and other adversaries want to maintain control over the world and continue “the policy of neo-colonialism of human rights” in international relations.
Kyslytsya responded to Russia’s complaints by saying: “We have heard, many times, the same perverted logic of the attacker trying to present himself as a victim.”
The General Assembly voted 140-5, with 38 abstentions, on March 24, a resolution that blames Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection for millions of civilians and critical homes, schools and hospitals. for their survival.
The vote was almost exactly the same as the March 2 resolution adopted by the assembly, calling for an immediate ceasefire by Russia, the withdrawal of all its forces and the protection of all civilians.  This vote was 141-5 and 35 abstentions.
Both of these votes were not legally binding, but they had an impact as a reflection of world opinion.
Thursday’s vote and Russia’s withdrawal, however, have a direct impact on Moscow’s voice in a human rights body that is becoming increasingly a hotbed of global confrontation between Western democracies and authoritarian states.  China will lose a key ally there.
China abstained from both votes in the assembly last month, but voted against suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council.
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Peltz reported from New York.  Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten contributed from Geneva.