China opposed, 21 countries supported: UN extended human rights monitoring in Russia
The UN Human Rights Council has extended the mandate of the special rapporteur monitoring the human rights situation in Russia for another year. In the vote on October 6, 21 countries supported the decision, five voted against, and another 21 countries abstained.
China opposed, while 21 countries supported: the UN has once again extended the human rights monitoring in Russia
The resolution was presented by Ireland on behalf of the European Union. The country's permanent representative to the UN structures in Geneva, Lawrence Simms, noted that accountability for human rights violations in Russia is not being ensured.
According to him, the extrajudicial executions of government critics, the undermining of political pluralism, and the systematic harassment of civil society, independent media, journalists, and indigenous peoples remain unpunished.
Among those who supported the extension of the Special Rapporteur's mandate are the United Kingdom, Chile, France, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.
Burundi, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, and Vietnam voted against the decision. Beijing also called on other members of the council to reject the resolution.
Brazil, India, Mexico, and the Republic of South Africa were among the countries that abstained. According to the AFP agency, Russia did not speak during the discussion.
The UN Human Rights Council adopted the decision to establish the position of Special Rapporteur on Russia in October 2022. This was prompted by concerns over increasing repression in Russia against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
Bulgarian human rights expert Mariana Katsarova was appointed to this position. She became the first Special Rapporteur mandated to monitor the human rights situation in one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.