The United Nations will vote on whether or not to expel Russia from the Human Rights Council because of its actions in Ukraine

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks to the media at the Bucharest railway station on April 4, 2022, after announcing that Washington will seek to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Image Credit: Reuters

Reuters: On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly will vote on a proposal by the United States to expel Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council, citing claims of "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" by invading Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

A country can be suspended from the 47-member council with a two-thirds majority of voting members (abstentions do not count). Libya was suspended in 2011 due to violence perpetrated by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi against protesters.

Western officials are confident that a resolution suspending Moscow would be approved by the 193-member General Assembly. The draft statement expresses "grave concern" over the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, especially reports of Russian human rights violations.

"It is critical to say (to Russia) that we are not going to allow you to continue to act with such impunity and pretend that you value human rights," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told Reporters.

According to a note seen by Reuters, Russia has warned countries that a yes vote or abstention will be perceived as an "unfriendly gesture" with negative ramifications for bilateral relations.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the Assembly has passed two resolutions condemning the country, with 141 and 140 votes in favor, respectively. Moscow claims to be conducting a "special operation" in Ukraine to demilitarize the country.

After Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing hundreds of people in the village of Bucha, the US declared that it would pursue Russia's suspension.

Russia denies attacking the Ukrainian people. On Tuesday, United Nations Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia declared that while Bucha was under Russian control, "not a single civilian was subjected to any form of violence."

Russia is in the second year of a three-year term on the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which does not have the authority to make legally binding decisions. Its rulings, on the other hand, carry crucial political messages and can authorize probes.

Since Russia's incursion, the council has begun an investigation into claims of human rights breaches, including probable war crimes in Ukraine.