Russia’s membership in the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where it is serving a three-year term, has been suspended by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Members of the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution proposed by Ukraine, which expressed deep concern about reports of human rights atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law by Russia.
After photographs of civilian bodies in the village of Bucha aroused widespread attention and revulsion, the United States called for Russia’s suspension.
South Africa abstained from voting because the proposed resolution was deemed premature.
The General Assembly may suspend a country’s membership privileges if it commits grave and systematic breaches of human rights, according to a resolution passed in 2004 that established the Council.
Abstentions did not count in the vote, which required a two-thirds majority of those voting Yes or No.
In the end, 93 countries voted in favor, 24 voted against, and 58 abstained.
In introducing the document, Ukraine’s representative implored the assembly not to repeat the complacency that allowed the Rwanda atrocity to go unchecked, while Russia warned that the vote would destabilize the global human rights infrastructure.
“We see voting to suspend a state’s HRC privileges as a rare and unprecedented step,” Ukraine’s UN ambassador Sergei Kyslytsya said. Russia’s actions, on the other hand, are beyond reproach – it is not only violating human rights, but also disturbing the foundations of world peace and security.”
“The world community’s indifference to the genocide in Rwanda was largely owing to the UN’s failure to respond to warnings in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly (GA) a year before the tragedy.” It is not even a year in the situation of Ukraine today, because the tragedy is happening right before our eyes,” Kyslytsya continues.
Russia opposed, claiming that the endeavor was an attempt to dismantle the existing global human rights framework.
“Today is not the time or place for theatrics or these sorts of extraordinarily theatrical displays, like the one offered by Ukraine,” says Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Gennady Kuzmin. In fact, the draft resolution we’re discussing today has nothing to do with the current human rights situation on the ground.
“I’d want to reiterate, quote, our note mentioned by the ambassador. What we are witnessing today is the United States’ desire to maintain its hegemonic position and complete control over human rights, colonialism, and international affairs.”
South Africa urged the parties to engage in discussion and asked the General Assembly to adopt constructive resolutions that supported mediation, pointing to a Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry formed last month to look into alleged abuses in Ukraine.
“The commission has not yet begun its work,” says Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations. We eagerly anticipate its findings on charges of grave human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law.”
“South Africa is convinced that the resolution that we will discuss today is premature and prejudges the findings of the commission of inquiry.” “We must allow the commission to carry out its mandate as soon as possible and report to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on its findings,” Mabhongo argues.
Cuba warned that the suspension mechanism might be used selectively, particularly against countries who oppose others’ dominance.
“Could this assembly eventually pass a resolution suspending the membership of the United States and the Human Rights Council?” argues Cuba’s UN delegate, Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta. Let me give you an example. We all know that hasn’t happened and won’t happen.”
“Given its geopolitical goals, despite its gross and widespread breaches of human rights as a result of invasions and wars against sovereign governments.” Hundreds of millions of civilians have died as a result of their actions, which they refer to as collateral damage. Millions of people have been displaced, and our planet has been destroyed. Cuba’s ambassador says, “However, this assembly has never suspended any of its privileges.”
Libya was the only other country whose membership in the HRC was suspended, after a majority decision by the General Assembly in 2011.
South Africa also expressed concern that the resolution would further divide and polarize countries over Ukraine, claiming that the Assembly had not followed appropriate procedure.
Ambassador Mabhongo appealed for consistency on matters of human rights breaches to help the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly maintain their legitimacy.
Shortly after the decision, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted that the Assembly had given a strong message to Russia that it will be held accountable for its conduct.
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