Russia Suspended From UN Human Rights Council As India Abstains
Mobilenews24x7 Bureau
United Nations, April 8 : In a huge development, Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, was on Thursday suspended from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as India and 57 other countries abstained during voting at the UN General Assembly over the Ukraine war crimes. Altogether 93 countries voted in favour of the US-led resolution to suspend Russia over human rights violations in Bucha in Ukraine. The draft text of the resolution expressed “grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” particularly at reports of rights abuses by Russia. India along with its neighbours Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan abstained, besides the UAE, South Africa, Brazil, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Twenty-four countries voted against the resolution – among them were China, Belarus, Algeria, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan. Giving India’s reasons, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, said that since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict India has stood for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. “If India has chosen any side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,” he said.Reiterating India’s call for an end to all hostilities, he said: “When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option.” “Recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing.
We have unequivocally condemned these killings and support the call for an independent investigation,” he said, reiterating India’s call made at the UNSC two days ago.India’s abstention comes despite Russia threatening that a vote in favour, or an abstention, would be interpreted as an “unfriendly” act, altering the bilateral relationship. Because Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and cannot be removed, suspending it from the UNHRC is seen as a significant way for the UN to show its disapproval of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Representative said that on April 7 it will prematurely terminate its powers in the UNHRC. He noted that Moscow considers the resolution of the UN General Assembly an illegal and politically motivated step against Russia.
With Agencies Inputs
