ToplineThe United Nations voted Thursday to remove Russia from its Human Rights Council following mounting evidence of war crimes in Ukraine, including the alleged massacre of hundreds of Ukrainian civilians by retreating Russian forces in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb. Key BackgroundFormed in 2006, only one country has previously been suspended from the Human Rights Council: the U.N. General Assembly unanimously voted to suspend Libya in 2011 following evidence of mass human rights violations. Members of the Human Rights Council are responsible for identifying human rights violations globally and making recommendations on abuses, but the council has faced significant criticism for including accused human rights abusers such as China and Venezuela among its ranks. TangentUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Russia’s removal from the U.N. Security Council in a Tuesday video address. Further ReadingRussia threatens states with consequences over U.N. vote on Human Rights Council (Reuters)Zelensky Calls For Russia To Be Stripped Of Permanent Seat On U.N. Security Council Over Evidence Of War Crimes (Forbes)U.S. Calls For Russia’s Removal From U.N. Human Rights Council (Forbes)

Source: Forbes April 08, 2022 10:26 UTC