Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Gennady Kuzmin after adoption of UNGA resolution on suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council
Mr.President,
The Russian side considers the adopted General Assembly resolution on suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the UN Human Rights Council as an illegitimate and politically motivated step designed as a demonstrative punishment of a sovereign UN member state that is carrying out independent internal and external policies.
I am authorized to make the following statement. The Russian Federation took a decision to resign from the United Nations Human Rights Council starting from 7 April 2022, before the expiration of its term of membership.
Russia has always considered the Human Rights Council as an important component of a universal system for observance and protection of human rights, the main role of which is to promote constructive and depoliticized inter-state dialogue on key issues of human rights agenda.
Unfortunately, in current circumstances, the Council is in fact monopolized by a single group of states that exploits the mechanism to achieve their opportunistic goals. Having proclaimed themselves a standard of rights advocacy, these states over years have either engaged in gross and mass violations of human rights or showed indulgence towards such. Despite their status of HRC members, they are not ready to give up their egoistic political and economic interests in order to promote real stabilization of human rights situation in concrete states. Such action infringes the mandate that the international community entrusted to the HRC and undermines the overall confidence in this body.
Russia’s true commitment to protecting and promoting human rights does not let us remain part of an international mechanism, that has turned into a conductor of will of a particular group of states, who, while pressing for their goals in the decision-making process, do not hesitate to blackmail sovereign nations to get the required votes.
Our decision for early termination of our HRC membership does not mean we step back on our international obligations in the area of human rights.
Russia will keep contributing to strengthening constructive dialogue on the issue of human rights and engaging all stakeholders in collective work to elaborate solutions that should meet interests of all groups of states.
Thank you.
