LAST UPDATE: 18:36
The United Nations Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted by a large majority a resolution to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by Russian troops in briefly occupied areas of Ukraine.
The Council adopted the resolution by a vote, with 33 members voting in favor and 2 against (China, Eritrea). Twelve members abstained.
The resolution calls on the UN International Commission on Ukraine to “investigate” serious human rights abuses committed in the Kiev, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions from late February to March 2022, with the aim of ” to hold those responsible accountable “.
Russia’s membership in the 47-member council was suspended last month amid allegations of violations in Ukraine, although Moscow says it has withdrawn.
According to UN rules, its representative has the right to speak at today’s meeting but her seat is vacant. Moscow is abstaining from protesting the resolution, which it says is tantamount to settling political bills.
The committee will prepare a report by the beginning of next year.
“The areas … which were occupied by Russia in late February and March have suffered the most horrific human rights violations on the European continent in recent decades,” Emine Djaparova, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister, told the council.
Russia denies targeting civilians and calls its actions in Ukraine since February 24 a “special military operation” to disarm the country and eliminate what the Kremlin calls Western-instigated anti-Russian nationalism. Ukraine and the West say Russia has launched an unprovoked offensive war.
Russia’s membership in the 47-member council was suspended last month amid allegations of violations in Ukraine, although Moscow says it has withdrawn. According to UN rules, its representative has the right to speak at today’s meeting but her seat is vacant.
At the same meeting, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said there were many examples of possible war crimes in the country after the Russian invasion, adding that 1,000 bodies had been found so far in the Kiev region.
“The scale of the illegal killings, including indications of summary executions in areas north of Kiev, is staggering,” said Michelle Bachelet.
Source: Capital
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