‘Unfriendly’ Human Rights Council Suspends Putin’s Russia

For the first time since 2011, the UN General Assembly voted to suspend a nation from the 47-member Human Rights Council.

Russia’s provisional expulsion (if you will) was mostly, but not wholly, symbolic. Although it’s still technically a member, Russia can’t propose resolutions or even address the body outside of matters that directly involve the country.

Of course, many pressing human rights matters will involve Russia in the near-term, so I suppose Moscow’s voice hasn’t been silenced. Evidence to support allegations that Vladimir Putin’s forces committed atrocities in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns formerly under Russian control continued to mount Thursday, when reports indicated German intelligence is in possession of incriminating radio traffic.

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Ukraine described the vote to suspend Russia as “a duty, not an option.”

The last nation to “win” a suspension was Libya but, as The New York Times dryly noted, “that action… was taken with the support of Libyan diplomats in New York and Geneva who had dissociated themselves from the actions of [the Gaddafi] government.”

The vote tally was 93 for, 24 against and 58 abstentions, with the latter not counted towards the two-thirds needed. An irritable Russia described the vote as a conspiracy — “an attempt by the US to maintain its domination and total control.” Maybe it is that. But it’s also a sign that quite a few nations aren’t enamored with the prospect of a nuclear-armed former superpower invading a weaker neighbor and demonstrating a disregard for civilians that’s blatant even by the tragically low standards of war. The concept of “collateral damage” doesn’t make any sense if it was intentional, and even as intentional killings go, street executions are generally frowned upon.

Here again, I’m compelled to remind readers that hypocrisy isn’t exculpatory for Russia. War crimes committed by the US during decades of military misadventures aren’t relevant here (“I don’t see any connection to Vietnam, Walter”), nor is it germane that the council entertained membership for Saudi Arabia, a country where swords are still in style when it’s time to execute locals.

As Reuters noted, “Russia was in its second year of a three-year term on the council [and] Moscow is one of the most vocal members.” No permanent Security Council member has ever lost membership to any UN organization. Until Thursday, anyway.

Although Moscow can still project via proxies, losing the power to speak and vote on the council could potentially limit Russia’s capacity to blunt criticism aimed at allies, including Syria.

In all likelihood, Russia’s term will expire before any decision by the General Assembly to lift the ban. Much as Putin’s presidency may expire before the US decides to lift sanctions.

Prior to the vote, the Kremlin said it would consider support for suspension an “unfriendly” act. If the past three weeks are any guide, that means dozens of countries will now be compelled to pay rubles for any “beautiful, clean coal” they might be inclined to buy from Moscow. Renminbi will work too. On the off chance you have some sitting around.