“War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights,” Ukraine’s foreign minister said after the vote. “I thank all the Member States that … chose the right side of the story.” Ahead of the vote, Ukraine urged UN members to expel Russia from the top human rights body. Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN said Russia had committed “horrific human rights abuses and violations that would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” The diplomatic slap came as the Ukrainian government told its citizens to evacuate the eastern Donbass region ahead of an expected battle for the region. Residents were told on Thursday that Ukraine would not be “able to do anything to help” if trapped by Russian forces. There was also a video close up of Kyiv showing Ukrainian soldiers firing on captured Russian troops. The UN resolution, adopted by the General Assembly, expressed “grave concern about the ongoing crisis over human rights and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.” Russia is only the second country to withdraw its membership, after Libya was ousted in 2011 by soldiers loyal to then-leader Muammar Gaddafi. It is considered to be the first time that one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council has lost its membership in a UN body. UK Secretary of State Liz Trouse has said Russia is now a “global outcast” following its suspension. The resolution needed a two-thirds majority of those who voted, with abstentions not counting as votes. China was one of the countries that voted against the measure, along with Iran, Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Congo and Belarus. India, Brazil, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico were among those abstaining. The number of votes against the move to expel Russia was significantly higher than other recent votes of the UN General Assembly. On March 24, the Assembly voted 140-5, with 38 abstentions, to adopt a resolution blaming Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and calling for an immediate ceasefire. On March 2, a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Russia was adopted by the Assembly by a 141-5 vote with 35 abstentions. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations (Getty) On Thursday, the ambassador of Ukraine, Sergiy Kyslytsa, presented the resolution initiated by the USA in front of the 193 members of the General Assembly. “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.” Russia’s deputy ambassador, Gennady Kuzmin, urged members to vote “no” and called the resolution “an attempt by the United States to maintain its sovereignty and take control.” US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has led calls for Russia to be removed from the 47-member human rights council following the Bucharest atrocities. He said on Monday: “We believe that members of the Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine and we believe that Russia must be held accountable. “Russia’s participation in the Human Rights Council is a hoax.” Images from the Ukrainian city of Bukha have shocked the world, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson describing the Russian force’s actions as “not far from genocide”. There have been reports of civilians being shot at close range, some with their hands tied behind their backs. A woman passes in front of destroyed houses on the street in Bucha (EPA) Ukrainian authorities have urged civilians in eastern Donbass to leave on Thursday as the army prepares for a fierce battle in the region. The country’s deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, said that if the people did not flee then they would “come under fire”. He added that Ukraine would not be “able to do anything to help” if civilians were trapped by emerging Russian forces. In a speech Wednesday night, President Zelensky warned that the Russians were preparing for a new offensive in the east. “We will fight and we will not retreat,” he said. “This is our land. This is our future and we will not give up. “ Ukraine hopes to evacuate people along 10 humanitarian corridors, Vereshchuk said. He added that almost 4,892 people had escaped on Wednesday. Meanwhile, outside a village west of the capital Kiev, videos posted on the Internet appeared to show a group of Ukrainian soldiers killing captured Russian soldiers. The video, which was verified by the New York Times, appeared to capture a man talking about a Russian soldier who was apparently injured by a jacket pulled over his head. “She is still alive. Capture these raiders. Look, he’s still alive. “He is panting,” said the man before shooting him twice. The Russian soldier continues to move and the man shoots him again. At least three other apparently Russian soldiers, including one with his hands tied behind his back, appear dead near the victim.
