UN Suspends Russia From Human Rights Council, Ukraine Says “Grateful”

The United Nations General Assembly today suspended Russia from Human Rights Council after killings in Ukraine’s Bucha, reports news agency AFP. Evidence of civilian killings in Bucha and other towns around Kyiv — which Ukraine has blamed on Russian troops, allegations denied by Moscow — have shocked the world and triggered calls for new sanctions on Moscow.

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, suggesting weakening international unity against Russia at the United Nations.

It was the second ever suspension of a country from the council. Libya was the first, in 2011.

Ukraine said it was “grateful” for the decision to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council, saying “war criminals” should not be represented in the body.

“War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

“Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) resolution and chose the right side of history.”