Russia suspended from UN Human Rights Council, India abstains in UNGA vote

Russia was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council after the 193member General Assembly on Thursday voted to adopt a resolution moved by the US that received 93 votes in favour and 58 abstentions including by IndiaThe resolution titled Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council was adopted with 93 votes in favour 24 against and 58 abstentions Those abstaining included Bangladesh Bhutan Brazil Egypt Indonesia Iraq Malaysia Maldives Nepal Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa Sri Lanka and UAEIndia has abstained on the resolution with regard to suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council adopted in the General Assembly today We do so for reasons of both substance and process Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said in the Explanation of Vote after the votingSince the inception of the Ukrainian conflict India has stood for peace dialogue and diplomacy We believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives If India has chosen any side it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence he addedSince January this year India has abstained on at least eight occasions on procedural votes and draft resolutions in the UN Security Council the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council that deplored Russian aggression against UkraineAn important and historic day Countries from around the globe have voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council We have collectively sent a clear message that Russia will be held accountable US Ambassador to the UN Linda ThomasGreenfield tweetedMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that Russias rights of membership in the UN Human Rights Council has just been suspended War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA resolution and chose the right side of historyTirumurti said India continues to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterates its call for end to all hostilities When innocent human lives are at stake diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option he saidHe reiterated that recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing We have unequivocally condemned these killings and support the call for an independent investigationThe General Assembly resumed its Emergency Special Session after a request from Antigua and Barbuda Canada Colombia Costa Rica Georgia Japan Liberia Republic of Moldova Ukraine United Kingdom United States and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union on behalf of 27 members of the European UnionThe Human Rights Council consists of 47 Member States elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of the members of the General AssemblyThe General Assembly by a twothirds majority of the members present and voting may suspend the rights of membership in the Council of a member of the Council that commits gross and systematic violations of human rightsAbstentions do not count and the resolution required twothirds of yesno votes to be adoptedTirumurti said the impact of the crisis has also been felt beyond the region with increasing food and energy costs especially for many developing countriesIt is in our collective interest to work constructively both inside the United Nations and outside towards seeking an early resolution to the conflict he saidIndia has been at the forefront of protecting human rights right from the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights We firmly believe that all decisions should be taken fully respecting due process as all our democratic polity and structures enjoin us to do This applies to international organisations as well particularly the United NationsThe Assembly voted on the draft resolution that decides to suspend the rights of membership in the Human Rights Council of the Russian FederationRussias current membership on the Council ends in December 2023 The only time a Member State was suspended from the Genevabased body was Libya in 2011 when in an unprecedented move a resolution was adopted in the General Assembly that had expressed deep concern about the human rights situation in Libya in the wake of Muammar AlGaddafis violent crackdown on antiGovernment protestorsThe draft resolution notes the Human Rights Council resolution of March 4 2022 in particular its grave concern regarding reports of gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed by Russia during its aggression against UkraineIt expresses grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine particularly at the reports of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by Russia including gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights It recognizes strong expressions of concern in statements by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle BacheletThomasGreenfield had told reporters in Bucharest Romania this week that Washington in close coordination with Ukraine European countries and other partners at the UN was going to seek Russias suspension from the UN Human Rights CouncilThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever