Bold action – Russia suspended from UN human rights body

The United Nations General Assembly has officially voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council.

The vote on Thursday local time saw 93 countries in favour, 24 against and 58 abstentions.

The draft resolution says the General Assembly will “suspend the rights of membership in the Human Rights Council of a member of the Council that commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.”

Russia has responded to the move, with the country’s deputy ambassador to the UN labelling it “an illegitimate and politically motivated step.”

This comes as NATO foreign ministers continue their high-stakes talks in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirming the West has agreed to further “strengthen and sustain” its support for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s foreign minister has also addressed the media following the NATO agreement.

He says Ukraine is not only fighting to protect itself, but “also the security of NATO members”, adding it’s only fair the alliance provides his country with what they need to win this bloody war.

The increasing support of the West for Ukraine comes at a time when China is refusing to condemn Russian aggression.

At the UN meeting, China’s ambassador says removing Russia from the Human Rights Council “in such a way” will “set new dangerous precedent” and “produce serious consequences”.

Meanwhile, NATO and its Asia-Pacific partners are step[ping up their “practical and political cooperation”.

As China refuses to condemn Russia, Stoltenberg says now more than ever the West needs to stick together.