The Czech Republic replaces Russia on the UN Human Rights Council
Russia has left the UN Human Rights Council because of the Ukraine war. The Czech Republic has now been chosen as the successor with a clear majority.
the essentials in brief
- Russia has left the UN Human Rights Council over the attack on Ukraine.
- Now the UN has chosen a successor with a clear majority on Tuesday.
- Already at the special session on Thursday, the Czech Republic WILL take the seat.
After Russia left the UN Human Rights Council, the Czech Republic moved up to the international body based in Geneva. The UN General Assembly decided on Tuesday with a clear majority in a secret ballot in New York. This autumn, the normally three-year term of office will exceptionally only run until the end of 2023.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky was very pleased with the decision. His country wants to build on the legacy of civil rights activist and preferred President Vaclav Havel, he told journalists in Prague. As early as Thursday, a special session will deal with human rights violations in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The UN General Assembly suspended Russia’s membership of the Human Rights Council over the Ukraine war. As a result, Russia considers its membership prematurely terminated.
Human Rights Council investigates Ukraine war
The UN Human Rights Council has 47 members who are elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms. Ukraine and Germany are also currently involved. The task of the Council is to monitor the human rights situation around the world.
At the beginning of March, the body discussed the situation in Ukraine in a special debate during its regular spring meeting. The Council decided to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations during the Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country.
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