Russia becomes the second member state to be removed from the United Nations Human Rights Council after Libya.
Yesterday, the United States moved a resolution against Russia in the UN General Assembly. The US accused Russia of killing the civilians of Kyiv while Russian troops were withdrawing from the area. The 193-member General Assembly voted for “the suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council.”
With 93 members voting in favour of suspending the Russian Federation, Russia is no longer a UNHRC member country. Meanwhile, 24 members opposed the resolution, and 8 abstained.
The United Nations Human Rights Council was formed in 2006. Since then, Russia has become the UNHRC’s second member to be voted out. Earlier in 2011, UN voted out Libya during the end of the reign of long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi.
India’s stand in the voting
Since the beginning of the UN voting regarding the Russia-Ukraine war issue, India’s stand has remained neutral. India has abstained in all the procedural drafts and votes resolutions in the UN Security Council, Human Rights Commission and General Assembly.
T.S. Tirumurti, India’s UN Ambassador, outlined India’s abstention from the proposed resolution. “India has abstained on the General Assembly resolution today on the Russian Federation’s suspension from the Human Rights Council,” he said.
We do so for substantive and procedural grounds. Since the situation in Ukraine began, India has advocated for peace, negotiation, and diplomacy. We think that no solution can be reached by the loss of innocent blood or at the expense of innocent lives. If India has taken a position, it is one of peace and for an early cessation of bloodshed.”
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11th Emergency Special Session of UN General Assembly on #Ukraine
Action on resolution for suspension of Russian Federation from @UN_HRC
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However, India has denounced the deaths in Bucha and finds the images highly disturbing. “Recent allegations of civilian murders in Bucha are highly alarming,” he said. We have clearly denounced these murders and ask for an impartial inquiry.”
Additionally, Mr. Tirumurti emphasized the conflict between Ukraine and Russia’s massive effects. Numerous nations are seeing a significant increase in food and energy costs. It is in our common interest to act constructively, both inside and outside the United Nations, to bring the conflict to an early conclusion.
Other Countries’ stand
While, India along with many other countries abstained on the resolution, the other among the most noteworthy were Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Brazil and South Africa’s UNPR stated that the decision of the draft resolution is too soon. The resolution is premature and prejudges the outcomes of the commission of inquiry. Further, India’s neighbouring nations, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives also abstained.
China, on the other side, voted against the resolution. China highlighted the reason that, “the Resolution lacks sufficient consultation before to the voting. Further, it raises the possibility that the action can flare the dispute further.
Above all, India’s abstention has not satisfied either side of the major blocks. Former Indian UNPR, Asoke Mukherjee observed, “On one side India’s abstention will neither delight Russia nor the US; and on the other hand, this would enhance the expectations of the international community on India to do more in terms of peace efforts and to settle Ukraine-Russia problem.”
Published By: JAINAM SHETH
Edited By : SUBBUTHAI PADMA
