These Are the 24 Countries That Voted NO to Suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council

The United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council Thursday morning despite 24 countries voting no. There were 93 votes in favor of the suspension and 58 abstenstions.

This means of course that Russia suffered yet another consequence of its invasion of Ukraine and atrocities that have led to allegations of war crimes as well as multiple rounds of global sanctions that have isolated President Vladimir Putin and the nation he leads.

The nations that voted no to the resolution, in alphabetical order, include:

Algeria
Belarus
Bolivia
Burundi
Central African Republic
China
Congo
Cuba
North Korea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Iran
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Mali
Nicaragua
Russia
Syria
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

CNN reports:

A draft of the resolution says the General Assembly may “suspend the rights of membership in the Human Rights Council of a member of the Council that commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.”

The draft resolution adds that the council has “grave concern” regarding reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” and “violations of international humanitarian law” committed by the Russian Federation during its invasion of Ukraine.

The General Assembly needed to vote in favor by two-thirds to remove Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. The measure suspends Russia’s membership in the Council and would launch a review of the matter if the UN deems it appropriate.

The United States’ UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “Russia should not have a position of authority in a body whose purpose – whose very purpose – is to promote respect for human rights. Not only is it the height of hypocrisy – it is dangerous.”

Watch the vote above via the UN.