Russia Out of UN Human Rights Council

On Friday, the General Assembly voted Russia off the U.N. Human Rights Council. It was a stunning reproach to the country that is increasingly being blamed of war crimes over its actions in Syria.

The Human Rights Council is the UN’s foremost body charged with protecting and promoting human rights. The 193-member General Assembly voted 14 members to the 47-nation council.

Russia received 112 votes. Hence, the country lost its regional seat to Hungary, which had 144 votes, and Croatia, which received 114 votes.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin made light of the significance of the loss.

“It was a very close vote and very good countries competing, Croatia, Hungary. They are fortunate because of their size, they are not exposed to the winds of international diplomacy. Russia is very exposed. We’ve been on council a number of years, I’m sure next time we’ll get in,” he said.

The U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, China, Japan, Brazil, Rwanda, Hungary, Cuba, South Africa, Tunisia,. and U.K. also won seats on the council. Beside Russia, Guatemala was the only country contending for a seat to not be elected.

Strong opposition against Saudi Arabia and Russia

Human rights groups had cried out for countries to refuse the candidacies of Saudi Arabia and Russia. Saudi Arabia has been faulted of arbitrary attacks against civilians in Yemen. But Saudi Arabia’s election was an inevitable conclusion since it was running unchallenged for its regional seat.

U.N. director at Human Rights Watch Louis Charbonneau said that in rebuffing Russia’s bid for re-election to the Human Rights Council, U.N. member nations have sent a strong message to the Kremlin concerning its support for a regime that has committed so much atrocity in Syria.

Baroness Anelay, Britain’s Human Rights Minister, said she was pleased with her country’s re-election to the council.

Anelay said in a statement that the UK has been a keen advocate of the crucial work of the Council since its inception and that her country is honored to continue to serve as a member.

 

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