U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has described the adoption of the resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council as an “important and historic moment.”

Ms Thomas-Greenfield spoke on Thursday at the UN General Assembly following the vote in response to Russian forces’ alleged killings of civilians in Ukraine.

The U.S. was the last country to speak during the day-long meeting.

“It was not only about accountability for Russia,” she said. “But also about standing with the people of Ukraine. Today, the international community took one collective step in the right direction. We ensured a persistent and egregious human rights violator will not be allowed to occupy a position of leadership on human rights at the UN.”

Ms Thomas-Greenfield said member states should continue to hold Russia accountable for invading Ukraine.

The UNGA had earlier adopted a resolution calling for Russia to be suspended from the Human Rights Council. The resolution received a two-thirds majority of those voting in the 193-member Assembly, minus abstentions, with 93 nations voting in favour and 24 against.

Fifty-eight abstained from the process.

Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Vietnam voted against the resolution.

Nigeria, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia abstained.

The meeting marked the resumption of a special emergency session on the war in Ukraine and followed reports of violations committed by Russian forces.

This is not the first time a member state has been suspended from the council. Libya lost its seat in 2011 following repression of protests by then-ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The UN Human Rights Council consists of 47 members and is based in Geneva. Russia joined the body in January 2021 as one of 15 countries elected by the general assembly to serve three-year terms.

Under the 2006 resolution that established the council, the assembly can suspend a country from membership if it commits gross and systematic human rights violations.

China was among the countries that voted against the resolution. Zhang Jun, the Chinese ambassador, feared any hasty move in the assembly would be like “adding fuel to the fire,” aggravating divisions, intensifying the conflict, and jeopardising peace efforts.

For the European Union, the scale and gravity of Russia’s violations in Ukraine and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country call for a strong, united international response.

(NAN)