Russia wants to join the UN's human rights council again.
Russia aims to rejoin the United Nations Human Rights Council, a move seen as a significant test of its international reputation. It was expelled from the council last April due to its invasion of Ukraine. Now, Russian diplomats are seeking re-election to the council for a new three-year term. The vote is scheduled for next month.
In a document obtained by the BBC, Russia pledges to address human rights issues adequately and prevent the council from becoming a tool for the political agendas of specific countries, likely referring to Western nations. Russia hopes to regain credibility internationally, given accusations of human rights violations in Ukraine and within its own borders. Recent evidence of such abuses was presented to the council, including war crimes like torture, rape, and attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
The UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, consists of 47 members, each serving a three-year term. In the upcoming elections on October 10, Russia will compete with Albania and Bulgaria for the two seats reserved for central and eastern European countries. All 193 members of the UN General Assembly will participate in the vote. Diplomats report that Russia is actively campaigning, offering incentives such as grain and arms to smaller countries in exchange for their votes, making its return to the council a possibility.
Russia's position paper emphasizes its commitment to promoting cooperation, constructive dialogue, and finding solutions to human rights issues within the council. It also aims to prevent the council from being used as a tool for the political interests of a specific group of countries and opposes the punishment of non-loyal governments for their independent foreign policies.
Russia was suspended from the Human Rights Council in April 2022, with 93 members of the UN General Assembly voting in favor of the suspension, 24 against, and 58 abstaining. Russia attributes its loss of membership to "the United States and its allies," as stated in its position paper.