"A wrong has been righted" - U.S. applauds Russia's suspension from Human Rights Council

The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted to pass a resolution to suspend Russia from the organization's top human rights body, in response to Russian forces' alleged killings of civilians in Ukraine.

The vote passed with 93 countries voting in favor, 24 voting against and 58 abstaining from voting. Belarus, China, Iran, Russia and Syria were among the countries who voted against the resolution, while Azerbaijan and Armenia did not attend. Georgia and Moldova were among those that voted against Russia.

The White House reacted to the vote, calling it "a meaningful step by the international community further demonstrating how Putin’s war has made Russia an international pariah," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Russian forces are committing war crimes. Russia has no place on the Human Rights Council," President Joe Biden said in a statement.

After today’s historic vote, Russia "will not be able to participate in the Council’s work or spread its disinformation there as the Council’s Commission of Inquiry investigates Russia’s violations and abuses of human rights in Ukraine," Biden noted, adding that the images we are seeing out of Bucha and other areas of Ukraine as Russian troops withdraw are "horrifying."

"The signs of people being raped, tortured, executed—in some cases having their bodies desecrated—are an outrage to our common humanity. Russia’s lies are no match for the undeniable evidence of what is happening in Ukraine. That’s why nations in every region condemn Russia’s unprovoked and brutal aggression against Ukraine and support the brave people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his turn, described the vote as "a wrong [that] has been righted."

"The world is sending another clear signal that Russia must immediately and unconditionally cease its war of aggression against Ukraine and honor the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.  The international community will continue to hold Russia to account, and the United States will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty, democracy, and freedom", Blinken said in a statement.

The move came just hours before the U.S. Congress unanimously passed a package to end normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus and codify the administration’s ban on Russian oil imports, capping off weeks of negotiations that had stalled the legislation. The bill also permanently reauthorizes Magnitsky Act sanctions that target human rights violations and corruption with penalties like visa bans or asset freezes.

The legislators also voted for a second bill, which codifies the Biden administration’s ban on Russian oil imports.

The White House welcomed both bipartisan bills, saying that the President "looks forward to" signing them.

"Thanks to Congress for its partnership and leadership in making Putin a global economic and financial pariah," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.