Ukraine war: Russia suspended from United Nations' Human Rights Council following invasion
There has been revulsion in recent days after images emerged of civilian bodies on the streets of Bucha, apparently killed by Russian soldiers - something Moscow denies.
Thursday 7 April 2022 19:00, UK
Russia has been suspended from the United Nations' Human Rights Council (UNHRC) following its invasion of Ukraine.
The UN's General Assembly (UNGA) voted by 93 to 24 to suspend Russia, with 58 abstentions, over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers, which the United States and Ukraine have called tantamount to war crimes.
Moscow described the move as an "unfriendly gesture" and said there will be consequences for bilateral ties, according to a note seen by Reuters.
Kremlin spokesman calls Bucha scenes 'fake' - live updates
There has been revulsion in recent days after images emerged of civilian bodies on the streets of Bucha in Kyiv province.
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield launched the campaign to remove Russia from the UNHRC, saying it had to be warned against continuing to act with "such impunity" and it was "pretending" to respect human rights.
Ukraine has accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of civilians in Bucha, but Moscow has denied being to blame.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, said earlier this week that while Bucha was under Russian control, "not a single civilian suffered from any kind of violence".
Foreign secretary, Liz Truss, called Russia "a global pariah", following the suspension vote.
Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said he is "grateful to all member states" who supported the vote and "chose the right side of history".
Because Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and cannot be removed, suspending it from the UNHRC is seen as a significant way for the UN to show its disapproval of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
In a draft text issued prior to the vote, Moscow was accused of creating a "humanitarian crisis" in Ukraine.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February, the UNGA has adopted two resolutions denouncing Moscow that garnered more support, with 141 and 140 votes in favour.
What is the UNHRC and what does this mean for Russia?
Until Russia was suspended, the council, which is based in Geneva, had 47 members. Russia was in its second year of a three-year term.
The UNHRC, which was established in 2006, cannot take legally binding decisions. It can, however, authorise investigations and send powerful political messages.
Last month it opened an investigation into allegations of rights violations, including possible war crimes, in Ukraine since Russia began its attack.
Russia's suspension is more than a loss of prestige.
It is a signal that two thirds of the members of the UNGA believe it is not fit to belong to an international human rights body.