UN General Assembly Votes To Suspend Russia From Human Rights Council, China: It's Like Adding Fuel To A Fire

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun. (Source: FMPRC.Gov.Cn)

JAKARTA - China believes that a vote on a resolution to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council regarding the invasion and "reports of serious and systematic violations and human rights violations" in Ukraine will only exacerbate the conflict.

A total of 93 countries led by the United States expressed support for the suspension of Russia's resolution from the UN Human Rights Council, compared to 24 which rejected it including China and Iran, and 58 countries abstained including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and India from a total of 193 members of the General Assembly.

After abstaining on the previous two General Assembly votes, Russia's counterpart China opposed the resolution on Thursday.

"Hasty steps in the General Assembly, which force countries to choose sides, will exacerbate divisions among member states and intensify confrontation between the parties concerned, it is like adding fuel to the fire," the Chinese ambassador said for the UN Zhang Jun before the vote, reports Reuters, April 8.

As previously reported, the United States said Monday it would seek Russia's suspension, after Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of civilians in the city of Bucha.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the UN "sends a clear message that the suffering of victims and survivors will not be ignored."

"We ensure that persistent and violent human rights violators will not be allowed to occupy positions of human rights leadership at the United Nations," he said in remarks due to be presented to the General Assembly on Thursday.

A two-thirds majority of voting members, abstentions do not count, could suspend a country of the 47-member Human Rights Council based in Geneva, Switzerland for serious and systematic violations of human rights.

While Russia has warned UN member states, voting yes or abstaining on the US initiative to suspend Moscow from the Human Rights Council, would be seen as a 'unfriendly gesture' with consequences for bilateral relations, according to a note seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

It is known that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the Assembly has adopted two resolutions condemning Russia with 141 and 140 votes in favor. Moscow said it was carrying out "special operations" to demilitarize Ukraine.

The Human Rights Council cannot make legally binding decisions. His decision sends an important political message, however, and could permit an investigation. Last month the council opened an investigation into allegations of rights violations, including possible war crimes, in Ukraine.