After the 193-member United Nations General Assembly voted on Thursday to adopt a resolution on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council. With 93 votes in favour, 24 against, and 58 abstentions, the resolution titled “Suspension of the Russian Federation’s rights of membership in the Human Rights Council” was passed.
Those abstaining were India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and UAE.
In the Ukraine conflict, the Western-led draught resolution voiced “grave concern” about claims of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” and “violations of international humanitarian law” by Russia.
India’s say behind abstention
“India has voted no on the motion calling for the Russian Federation to be suspended from the Human Rights Council, which was passed by the General Assembly today. “We do so for both substantive and procedural considerations,” India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador TS Tirumurti, stated after the vote in the Explanation of Vote.
“India has stood for peace, negotiation, and diplomacy since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict.” We think that no solution can be found via the shedding of blood and the deaths of innocent people. If India has picked a position, it is one of peace and an end to violence as soon as possible,” he added. India remains profoundly concerned about the deteriorating situation, according to Tirumurti, and reiterates its call for an end to all violence.
India has abstained on at least eight occasions in the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council on procedural votes and draught resolutions condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine since January this year.
“Today is a momentous and historic occasion. Russia has been suspended from the UN Human Rights Council by countries all around the world. “We have delivered a strong message to Russia that it will be held accountable,” told US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a tweet.
“Russia’s rights to membership in the UN Human Rights Council have just been terminated,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted. In UN entities tasked with preserving human rights, war criminals have no place. Thank you to all UNGA members who voted in favour of the relevant resolution and chose the right side of history.”
According to reports, Russia warned other countries on Wednesday that voting “yes” on the removal or abstaining from the vote would be seen as an “unfriendly gesture” that would be “taken into account both in the development of bilateral relations and in the work on issues important to” each country within the United Nations framework.
The HRC is made up of 47 Member States who are elected directly and individually by a majority of the General Assembly members via secret ballot.
The General Assembly “may terminate the rights of membership in the Council of a member of the Council who commits serious and systematic abuses of human rights” with a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
Abstentions are ignored, and the resolution needed two-thirds yes/no votes to pass. According to Tirumurti, the crisis’ impact has been felt beyond the region, with rising food and energy costs, particularly in many developing countries.
“It is in our common interest to cooperate constructively, both inside and outside the United Nations, to find a quick settlement to the situation,” he said. “India has been in the forefront of human rights protection since the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights was drafted. We are convinced that all choices should be made in accordance with due procedure, as our democratic polity and structures demand. This is also true of international organisations, especially the United Nations.”
The Assembly voted on a draught resolution that “decides to suspend the Russian Federation’s participation in the Human Rights Council.” The current term of Russia’s membership in the Council expires in December 2024.
Other similar suspension
Libya was the only Member State to be suspended from the Geneva-based body in 2011, when the General Assembly passed an unprecedented resolution expressing “deep concern about the human rights situation” in Libya in the aftermath of Muammar Al-violent Gaddafi’s crackdown on anti-government protestors.
Published By : VATSAL KOTHA
Edited By : KHUSHI THAKUR
