Czech Republic Replaces Russia on UN Human Rights Council

The UN General Assembly voted in favor of this replacement with 157 votes in favor and 23 abstentions, with no votes against.

The Czech Republic’s term of membership ends on December 31, 2023. This country was the only candidate announced to replace Russia. Russia was in the second year of its three-year term on this council.

Last month, Russia was removed from the UN Human Rights Council due to “gross and systematic violations of human rights.”

The UN General Assembly on April 7, 2023, in its third emergency session regarding the Ukraine war, suspended Russia’s membership on the Human Rights Council with 93 votes in favor, 24 votes against, and 58 abstentions.

In this vote, 24 countries including Algeria, Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Syria, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Vietnam voted against the suspension of Russia’s membership on the Human Rights Council.

India, Egypt, and South Africa were also among the countries that abstained.

Source: Voice of America