There will be a vote on Thursday in the United Nations General Assembly regarding a US initiative to remove Russia from the UN Human Rights Council amid reports of severe human rights violations committed by Russian troops invading Ukraine.
It takes a two-thirds vote from all 47 members of the council to suspend a country – abstentions do not count. The Libyan government was suspended in 2011 after violent clashes between protesters and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
Diplomats from Western nations are confident they will have the votes needed to adopt a resolution to suspend Moscow among the 193 members of the General Assembly. As a result of the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the draft text is deeply concerned, especially the reports of Russia’s rights abuses.
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The Russian government has warned that abstention or a yes vote will be considered an unfriendly gesture that will have consequences on bilateral relations
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February, the Assembly has adopted two resolutions critical of Russia with 141 and 140 votes respectively.
As a result of Ukraine’s allegations that Russian troops had killed hundreds of civilians in the town of Bucha, the United States has announced it will seek the suspension of Russia.
During the recent conflict in Ukraine, Russia has denied attacking civilians.
It is Russia’s second year of a three-year term as a member of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which does not have the capability of taking legally binding decisions. It can, however, authorise investigations and send important political messages.
According to the Council, a preliminary investigation into allegations of rights violations in Ukraine since the Russian attack has been opened last month.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK