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Statement of Germany, delivered by Ambassador Leendertse, at the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on April 7th, 2022

Result of voting in the UN General Assembly regarding a Resolution on suspending Russia's Membership in Human Rights Council, 7 April 2022

Result of voting in the UN General Assembly regarding a Resolution on suspending Russia's Membership in Human Rights Council, 7 April 2022, © German UN Mission, New York

07.04.2022 - Speech

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution presented by Ukraine on the suspension of the rights of membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council. The text of the resolution can be accessed at the end of this page (additional content)

as delivered

Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

The massacre committed by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Bucha last week represents a new level of escalation. The haunting images we have all seen stain our common humanity.

Russia is responsible for these atrocities, their forces were in effective control of that territory when the killings took place. The counter-narrative put forward by Russia is totally implausible and untenable.

Russia continues to blatantly violate international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter. Its indiscriminate attacks amount to war crimes.

Colleagues,

The thresholds to exclude a UN member state from the Human Rights Council are – quote – “gross and systematic human rights violations” – unquote.

Russia has committed and continues to commit such violations. And it is worth noting that Russia is committing these violations on the territory of a sovereign and independent neighboring country.

Today the General-Assembly sent a clear signal to protect the integrity of its sub-organ by suspending Russia’s rights of membership. We commend all member states of having voted in favor of the motion or of not voting against it, in spite of Russian pressure. We commend and highly appreciate your solidarity and support for Ukraine. And no matter which measures Russia is taking unilaterally, the decision,taken by the General Assembly stands.

Colleagues,

It is crucial that all perpetrators will be held to account individually. War crimes, crimes against humanity, and human rights violations must be investigated, documented, and prosecuted case by case.

Germany has contributed almost 5 million USD to OHCHR’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. It is worth reading their latest report. We welcome the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry by the Human Rights Council which is mandated to report on its findings in September this year and March next year.

Moreover, the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is crucial. Germany will therefore provide another 1.1 million USD and second specialists in support of the ICC.

Germany reiterates its full solidarity with Ukraine, including its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.

Thank you.

Additional content

On April 5, several UN Member States (incl. Germany as part of the EU and its 27 Member States) requested the resumption of the 11th GA Emergency Special Session to take action on a draft resolution concerning Russia's membership in the Human Rights Council.

Draft Resolution for the UN General Assembly to adopt the Suspension of the Rights of Membership of the Russian Federation in the Human Rights Council

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