Russia, accused of grossly and systematically violating human rights in Ukraine, will no longer sit on the Human Rights Council – an institution whose mission is precisely to protect these rights. In a vote in the General Assembly on Thursday, the UN suspended Moscow from its seat in this Council. With 93 votes in favour, the text obtained a two-thirds majority. However, 24 countries voted against this resolution proposed by the United States and 58 abstained.
The pictures of mass graves and corpses of Boutcha obviously did not strengthen support for Ukraine. The united front that members of the UN have demonstrated so far even seems to be crumbling.
On March 2, a resolution demanding the immediate cessation of hostilities had again been overwhelmingly approved by 141 countries. Only five countries, including Russia and Syria, voted against. A result applauded standing by many diplomats.
None of that this time around. For example, there is no question of China distancing itself from Russia, its faithful ally. Beijing, which again abstained on March 2, even voted against this text proposed by the United States, as did Iran. India, which had nevertheless said to itself deeply troubled by the murders of civilians in Boutcha again abstained, as did South Africa, Senegal and even Mexico.
Before the vote, Russia had further increased the pressure, calling on all countries to oppose this “ American attempt to defend its dominant position “. Moscow also regretted this decision, while affirming that Russia will continue to defend its interests by all the legal means at its disposal.
Moscow denounces the American position
After the suspension decided by the UN General Assembly, Gennady Kuzmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, considered that it was a measure “ illegal and politicized which would not prevent Russia from fulfilling its obligations to protect human rights. He also denounced the triumph of an American and colonialist approach to human rights.
As soon as Russia’s suspension was confirmed, Moscow decided to withdraw from the Human Rights Council with immediate effect. For the spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, this suspension undermines the universality of the organization. Maria Zakharova further believes that she is part of an anti-Russian campaign that allows Western countries to establish their control over the sphere of human rights.
In fact, this suspension will probably have little impact on Russia, analyzes our correspondent in Moscow, Jean-Didier Revoin. As a permanent member of the Security Council, it retains the means to relay its messages within the UN, and according to Senator Konstantin Dolgov, this suspension will in no way affect Russia’s line of principle regarding Ukraine. .