Following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine over a month ago, this is the latest measure to limit Russia’s authority and presence on the global arena.
Since the start of the conflict, there have been accusations of suspected war crimes perpetrated by invading Russian forces against Ukrainian people.
Russian soldiers have been accused of purposefully and indiscriminately targeting civilians, including humanitarian corridors and medical institutions.
The International Criminal Court said early in the fighting that it will begin examining alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
World leaders, including Boris Johnson, have formally accused Putin’s administration of war crimes.
Suspensions by the council are uncommon. Libya was the final country to be kicked off the list in 2011, due to brutality against demonstrators by troops loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.
The draught resolution approved by the 193-member General Assembly expresses “grave concern about Ukraine’s protracted human rights and humanitarian situation.”
According to a memo seen by Reuters, Russia warned nations that voting in any other manner than to prevent the suspension would be considered as a “unfriendly act,” with diplomatic repercussions.
Russia has used its position on the council to be one of the most vociferous members, and it is anticipated to try to circumvent the ban in order to get its point over.
“They would definitely still try to influence the Council through proxies,” a diplomat added.
The council launched an inquiry into claims of human rights breaches in Ukraine last month.
The United Nations General Assembly has already passed two resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Both of the ballots received 141 and 140 votes, respectively.
Prior to today’s (Thursday) vote, the US stated that it will seek the suspension after Ukraine accused Russian soldiers of killing hundreds of people in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb.
Footage surfaced of mass graves and dead civilian bodies abandoned in the street.
Human Rights Watch, among others, accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine once more.
So far, Russian spokespeople have rejected the reported crimes against civilians.
On Tuesday, Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, stated that “not a single civilian suffered from any type of violence” when Bucha was under Russian control.
Nonetheless, confirmed satellite photographs show bodies abandoned on the same street in Bucha more than a week before Russian forces left.
The Prime Minister stated on Monday that the discovery of other mass graves outside the capital was a “sickening” revelation, adding that the UK “will not stand by while this indiscriminate and inexcusable massacre occurs.”
