UNITED NATIONS, April 7 (Reuters) – On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly will vote on whether to suspend Russia from the In reaction to claims of “gross and systemic violations and abuses of human rights” by invading Russian troops in Ukraine, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution.
A country can be suspended from the 47-member council with a two-thirds majority of voting members – abstentions do not count. Libya was halted in 2011 owing to anti-protester violence by military loyal to Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
Western diplomats believe they have enough votes in the General Assembly’s 193-member chamber to suspend Moscow.
Western diplomats believe they have enough votes in the General Assembly’s 193-member chamber to suspend Moscow.
The draught statement expresses “deep concern about the ongoing human rights and humanitarian situation in Ukraine,” particularly claims of Russian rights violations.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told Reuters of the decision, which was announced on Monday: “It is necessary to say (to Russia) ‘we’re not going to allow you to continue to act with such impunity and pretend that you value human rights.'”
According to a note obtained by Reuters, Russia has warned countries that a yes vote or abstention will be viewed as a “unfriendly gesture” with ramifications for bilateral relations.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the Assembly has voted two resolutions denouncing Russia, both by 141 votes. Moscow claims it is carrying out a “special operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.
The US declared that it would seek Russia’s suspension after Ukraine accused Russian soldiers of killing hundreds of people civilians in the town of Bucha.
Russia denies targeting Ukrainian people. On Tuesday, U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated that “not a single civilian suffered from any type of violence” while Bucha was under Russian control.
Russia is in the second year of a three-year term on the Geneva-based council, which does not have the authority to make legally binding decisions. Its rulings, however, transmit crucial political statements, and it has the authority to order probes.
Moscow is one of the council’s most vocal members, and a suspension would prevent it from speaking or voting, according to authorities, though diplomats could still attend debates. “They would very certainly continue to try to influence the Council through proxies,” a Geneva-based official said.
Following Russia’s involvement, the council opened an investigation last month into charges of human rights violations, including possible war crimes, in Ukraine.