After killings in Ukraine’s Bucha, which have sparked global condemnation, the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday suspended Russia from Human Rights Council. Visuals and images of civilian killings in Ukraine’s Bucha and other towns around Kyiv– which Ukraine has blamed on Russian troops, allegations denied by Moscow– have generated renewed calls for imposing more stringent actions against Putin-led regime.
In an indication of weakening international unity against Russia at the United Nations, of the 193 members of the assembly, 93 voted in favor of suspension as proposed by the United States while 24 voted against and 58 abstained.
After Libya in 2011, it was the second ever suspension of a country from the council.
Stressing that “war criminals” should not be represented in the body, Ukraine said it was “grateful” for the decision to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, taking to Twitter, wrote: “War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights.”
“Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) resolution and chose the right side of history.”
India, sticking to its strictly neutral stand, abstained from voting in favour of or against the resolution.
Citing reasons for its decision, India said, “We do so for reasons of both substance and process”.
“Since the inception of the Ukrainian conflict, India has stood for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. We believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. If India has chosen any side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,” India said.
“We continue to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation and reiterate our call for end to all hostilities. When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,” said TS Tirumurti, Indian envoy to United Nations.
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