GENEVA: A United Nations human rights body comfortably passed a motion on Friday to appoint a new independent expert on the allegations human rights abuses in Russia, accusing Moscow of creating a “climate of fear” through repression and violence.
Members voted 17 for and 6 against, with 24 abstentions. This is the first time the Human Rights Council has appointed a special rapporteur to examine the rights record of one of its so-called “P5” members, who hold permanent seats on the Security Council.
This follows tougher Russian laws this year to punish people who Moscow says discredit the armed forces or spread false information, and the forced closure of human rights groups including Memorial, which won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said the resolution contained a “stream of false allegations”.
“This draft resolution is one more example of how Western countries are using this advice to achieve their political goals,” he said.
The victory comes as a relief for Western countries after the historic defeat of a Chinese movement on Thursday.
The resolution was presented to the Geneva Council by almost 50 countries, including all EU countries except Hungary, as well as the United States, Great Britain, Ukraine, Japan and Colombia.
Members voted 17 for and 6 against, with 24 abstentions. This is the first time the Human Rights Council has appointed a special rapporteur to examine the rights record of one of its so-called “P5” members, who hold permanent seats on the Security Council.
This follows tougher Russian laws this year to punish people who Moscow says discredit the armed forces or spread false information, and the forced closure of human rights groups including Memorial, which won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, said the resolution contained a “stream of false allegations”.
“This draft resolution is one more example of how Western countries are using this advice to achieve their political goals,” he said.
The victory comes as a relief for Western countries after the historic defeat of a Chinese movement on Thursday.
The resolution was presented to the Geneva Council by almost 50 countries, including all EU countries except Hungary, as well as the United States, Great Britain, Ukraine, Japan and Colombia.
