Russia-Ukraine War Updates: UN General Assembly Suspends Russia from Human Rights Council

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• Apr 9, 2022 | Dhupali Das

The resolution was supported by 93 countries, opposed by 24 countries, and abstained by 58 countries, including India. 

Digital Desk: Despite India's restraint, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution suspending Russia from the world body's Human Rights Council on Thursday (April 7). 

The resolution was supported by 93 countries, opposed by 24 countries, and abstained by 58 countries. Russia's current UNHRC membership was set to expire in December 2023.

According to PTI, no permanent member of the UN Security Council has ever had their membership voided from any organ of the world body.

The vote was sparked by horrifying pictures of corpses strewn across the roads of the Ukrainian city Bucha last week. A mass grave was also discovered in the town, with residents claiming that at least 400 people were buried there.

"India has refrained on the decision adopted by the UN General Assembly today regarding the suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council," said TS Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the UN.

"India has advocated for peace, dialogue, and diplomacy since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict. We believe that no solution can be found by shedding blood and taking innocent lives. If India has chosen aside, it is the side of peace and the immediate cessation of violence," TS Tirumurti added. 

Further, TS Tirumurti stated that New Delhi condemned the "deeply disturbing" reports of civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha and backed the call for an independent investigation.

"We remain extremely concerned about the worsening of the situation and reaffirm our call for an end to all armed conflict. When innocent people's lives are at risk, diplomacy must be the only viable alternative," Tirumurti said. 

According to Tirumurti, the crisis's impact has been felt beyond the region, with rising food and energy prices, particularly in many developing countries.

"The crisis's impact has been felt beyond the region, with rising food and energy prices, particularly in many developing countries. It is in our collective interest to work cooperatively, both within and outside the UN, to bring the conflict to a close as soon as possible," he added. 

So far, India has refrained on eight instances in the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council on procedural votes and draught resolutions concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.