Russia suspended from top human rights body; India abstains despite Moscow warning – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India was among the 58 countries who abstained from voting in UNGA on a resolution that sought to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. While the abstention by India and others only facilitated adoption of the resolution, India called upon the UN to fully respect “due process” in taking any decision.
The resolution was adopted, revoking Russia’s membership, with 93 countries voting in favour and 24 against.
Russia became the first P-5 country to be suspended from any UN body and also the only country apart from Libya in 2011 to be removed from the 47-member top human rights body. India again wriggled out of a difficult situation by abstaining (its 10th abstention in 10 votes on Ukraine) even though the abstention this time worked in the favour of the US and other Western countries who wanted to expel Russia for alleged violations in Ukraine. Russia had warned the UNGA member-states that an abstention will be seen as an unfriendly gesture and also hurt bilateral ties.
India’s permanent representative to UN T S Tirumurti, however, said India decided to abstain for reasons of both “substance and process’’ while calling upon the UN to ensure all decisions are taken fully respecting due process. India’s explanation of vote came after the voting.
The resolution needed support only from 2/3 countries present and voting. Abstentions didn’t count. India has so far abstained from all 10 votes in UN on Ukraine. China voted against the resolution to suspend Russia. India’s emphasis on due course is significant as there was unease apparently among a large section of the member-states to expel Russia without waiting for the outcome of a probe into the violations. The resolution was adopted with support only from 93 out of 193 countries as abstentions didn’t count.
“India has been at the forefront of protecting human rights, right from the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We firmly believe that all decisions should be taken fully respecting due process, as all our democratic polity and structures enjoin us to do. This applies to international organisations as well, particularly the UN,” said Tirumurti, as he recalled India’s unequivocal condemnation of civilian killings in Bucha and its support for an independent probe into the killings.
The Indian ambassador reiterated India’s position that it stands for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. “We believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. If India has chosen any side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence,’’ he said.
In his explanation, the official said India continues to remain deeply concerned at the worsening situation while calling for end to all hostilities. “When innocent human lives are at stake, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,’’ he said.
“The impact of the crisis has also been felt beyond the region with increasing food and energy costs, especially for many developing countries. It is in our collective interest to work constructively, both inside the United Nations and outside, towards seeking an early resolution to the conflict,” said Tirumurti.
“Recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha are deeply disturbing. We have unequivocally condemned these killings and support the call for an independent investigation,” he added.