Thailand abstains in vote to suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council
(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 01, 2022, the United Nations holds its second day of emergency special session General Assembly meetings on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in New York City. – The UN General Assembly will vote on April 7, 2022, on suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council following allegations that Russian troops deliberately murdered civilians in Bucha, Ukraine, the assembly presidency said. (Photo by Andrea RENAULT / AFP)
Thailand, highlighting “inclusivity”, abstained from a vote to suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council over its aggression against Ukraine during the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.
Thailand was among 58 nations, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, which abstained from the vote. 93 countries, such as Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, and the United States, voted in favour, while 24 countries, including China, Iran, Lao PDR and Vietnam, voted against the move.
According to the explanation offered by Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, the country voted to abstain due to the overriding importance it attaches to a “transparent, impartial and inclusive approach in the multilateral regime”.
Although Thailand is deeply concerned over the escalation of the conflict and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, and that prompt action be taken in response to all alleged human rights atrocities against civilians, any such action must be taken after careful consultation, including well-founded and established facts and evidence from reliable sources. Therefore, Thailand supports the UN Secretary General’s call for an independent investigation.
The explanation also reads “We strongly urge all parties to comply fully with international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to protect civilians and civilian objects as well as ensure unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance without discrimination. Another life lost is another life too many.”
Last month, Thailand joined 141 nations in voting in favour of a resolution to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, during the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly.
More than 1,400 civilians have lost their lives in the conflict since the Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24th, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), while more than four million Ukrainians have fled their homes to escape the fighting.
