Hours before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution late on Thursday suspended Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over reported killings in Bucha in Ukraine, Russia termed the allegations as “hollow”. It said there is evidence that, in fact, a false operation was perpetrated by Kyiv itself.
A statement by the Russian embassy here said, “Regrettably there have been so far widespread hollow allegations against Moscow while there’s evidence that in fact a cynical false flag operation, perpetrated by Kyiv itself. It is vitally important to take this evidence into account as we seek justice.”
It said Russia firmly stood for bringing to justice those involved in this outrageous war crime act. “The main challenge is to ensure a genuinely independent and unbiased investigation,” the embassy said.
The statement also said the heinous attack in Bucha brings back nightmares of the Nazi crimes during World War II. It raised revulsion and condemnation in Russia and India and globally, it said.
Taking note of the killings, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday had said in the Lok Sabha India is "deeply disturbed" by the reports.
He also said, "We strongly condemn the killings that have taken place there. This is an extremely serious matter and we support the call for an independent investigation." He was replying to a discussion on the situation in Ukraine.
The UNGA will vote on a draft resolution seeking to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. This resolution was initiated by the US after images emerged of corpses strewn across streets of the Ukrainian city Bucha. Washington termed Moscow's participation in the top human rights body as a "farce".
The UNGA will resume its Emergency Special Session on Thursday after a request from Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia, Japan, Liberia, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, the UK, the US and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, on behalf of 27 members of the European Union(EU) bloc.
The Assembly will vote on a draft resolution that will decide to "suspend the rights of membership in the Human Rights Council of the Russian Federation".
The Human Rights Council consists of 47 member States, elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of the members of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly, by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting may suspend the rights of membership in the Council of a member of the Council that commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.
Abstentions do not count and the resolution requires two-thirds of "yes" or "no" votes to be adopted. India has, so far, abstained eight times from voting against Russia in the United Nations Security Council, the UNGA and the Human Rights Council since January condemning military action in Ukraine.
The latest draft resolution titled "Suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council" notes the Human Rights Council resolution of March 4, in particular its grave concern regarding reports of "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" and "violations of international humanitarian law" committed by Russia during its aggression against Ukraine.
The draft resolution expresses "grave concern" at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, particularly at the reports of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law by Russia, including gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights.
It recognises strong expressions of concern in statements by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.