Will Russia be kicked off the UN Human Rights Council?
US and Britain pushing for Moscow to be expelled after slaughter of Ukrainian civilians
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has joined the US ambassador to the United Nations in calling for Russia to be expelled from the organisation’s Human Rights Council.
Truss said on Twitter that given the “strong evidence” of war crimes by Russian forces in Ukraine, including the “heinous butchery” of civilians in the town of Bucha, “Russia must be suspended” from the council.
Backing that demand, US diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted that “suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council is something we, collectively, have the power to do in the General Assembly. Our votes can make a real difference.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Seat at the table
The UN high commissioner for human rights said on Monday that images and testimony from Bucha revealed “grave breaches of international humanitarian law and serious violations of international human rights law”.
“Reports emerging from this and other areas raise serious and disturbing questions about possible war crimes,” Michelle Bachelet continued in a statement. “It is essential that all bodies are exhumed and identified so that victims’ families can be informed, and the exact causes of death established. All measures should be taken to preserve evidence.”
Bachelet had told the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last week that her office had received “credible allegations” that Moscow had used cluster ammunition in populated areas.
“The massive destruction of civilian objects and the high number of civilian casualties strongly indicate that the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution have not been sufficiently adhered to,” she said, referencing the Geneva Conventions that set the legal standards for humanitarian treatment in war.
US ambassador Thomas-Greenfield yesterday said that Washington was working “in close coordination with Ukraine, European countries and other partners at the UN” to “seek Russia’s suspension” from the UNHRC.
“The images out of Bucha and devastation across Ukraine require us to now match our words with action,” she told reporters in Romania, where the US is trying to aid efforts to assist refugees coming from Ukraine.
Getting the boot
Russia is in the second year of a three-year term on the 47-member human rights council. The UN committee is not able to make legally binding decisions, but can authorise investigations into potential breaches of human rights.
The body launched a formal investigation into allegations of rights violations in Ukraine, including possible war crimes, shortly after Russia invaded the neighbouring eastern European nation in late February. Only Russia and Eritrea voted against the probe, while China abstained.
A resolution to suspend Russia’s membership “would require support from two-thirds of member countries”, ITV News reported. The only other country to have faced suspension is Libya, which was booted out in March 2011 following a unanimous vote, amid widespread “violence against protesters by forces loyal to then-leader Muammar Gaddafi”.
Kicking Russia off the council is “the strongest message the UN could send to the world that the international community condemns” the Ukraine invasion, the broadcaster added.
Will it happen?
In a ballot on 4 March, Russia’s invasion was condemned by 32 UNHRC members – which is also the minimum number of votes needed to suspend Moscow from the body.
The growing push to suspend Russia was strengthened by a warning yesterday to the UN Security Council by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that invading troopers were committing “the most terrible war crimes” since WWII.
The warning came hours after the UN Human Rights Office described the images and testimony emerging from Bucha and the surrounding area, to the northwest of Kyiv, as “extremely disturbing”.
Canada is among the countries that have publicly voiced support for expelling Russia. In a tweeted message yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said: “With ongoing reports of heinous acts of violence and war crimes at the hands of Russian forces, Russia’s utter disregard for human rights could not be any clearer. Russia has no place on the UNHRC.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the council last month that it “must stand strong on accountability”.
France has not publicly backed Russia’s suspension, but announced on Monday that Paris would expel 35 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action.
That Russia and nations such as Iran, China and Cuba are members of the rights council at all feels like a “cruel joke”, said Conservative Home editor-in-chief Mark Wallace in an article on the i news site.
And failing to expel Russia now could see the body become “an obstacle to justice” in Ukraine, he warned.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published