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Any move to re-admit Vladimir Putin\u2019s Russia into the United Nationals Human Rights Council would represent a \u201cnail in the coffin\u201d for the organistion\u2019s reputation, a UK-based lawyer and campaigner has warned on the day of a key vote on the issue.<\/p>\n
Russia faces a tough fight to regain its seat in today’s election in the General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
But Wayne Jordash QC, managing partner of Global Rights Compliance, sent a clear message to any nations considering backing Putin\u2019s bid.<\/p>\n
He told Express.co.uk: \u201cOnly 18 months ago, Russia was suspended from the UNHRC for egregious violations of the UN Charter and a myriad of violations of international humanitarian law during its illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an act of principle and unambiguously right – the UN’s reputation was at stake.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Embarrassed Brussels sparks outrage over ‘soft spot’ for Hamas[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cInstead of acting to remedy its lawlessness, Russia not only doubled down but quadrupled down, continuing its war of choice, conducting a widespread and systematic campaign of war crimes, crimes against humanity and even genocide as well as engaging in a campaign of propaganda, lies and worse to conceal their attacks on innocent men, women and children.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Jordash added: \u201cTo readmit them to the UNHRC would reward this behaviour and send a clear message that might is right, international justice does not matter and the UN stands for little but expedience.\u201d<\/p>\n Absolutely nothing had happened since the original suspension in April 2022 to justify permitting Russia to rejoin, Mr Jordash stressed.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cOn the contrary, Russia continues to engage in the worst crimes known to international law and Putin continues to thumb his nose at the ICJ’s decisions to cease and desist, the UN’s own Independent Commission of Enquiry (that has found evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal rhetoric), UN Resolution’s (calling for Russia to leave Ukraine) and the ICC’s own arrest warrants for Putin and his so-called Commissioner for Child Rights for abducting Ukrainian children.<\/p>\n \u201cTo reward this failure to even pretend to respect the international community’s rulings will be another nail in the coffin of the post World War II security apparatus and order designed to keep us all safe.\u2019<\/p>\n Referring in particular to last week\u2019s Russian airstrike on a funeral in Kharkiv, which killed at least 52 people, Mr Jordash said: \u201cThe evidence of Russia’s crimes (war crimes, crimes against humanity and possibly genocide) grows every day.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nature and scope of the crimes show that they are widespread and systematic and occur due to a state policy.\u201d<\/p>\n Putin was directly responsible, Mr Jordash emphasised, and as such should eventually go on trial.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n He explained: \u201cNo one doubts the role that Putin plays in designing that state policy and he does not try to hide his control over the Russian military and their campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the starting point for understanding his individual criminal liability. He may not order all the crimes, but he appears to be responsible for their design and perpetration.<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, it is highly likely that he can be charged for most of the crimes and in due course be tried for them. As for now, it is difficult to see what his defence to those future charges could be.\u2019<\/p>\n The 193-member assembly will be electing 15 members to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, with candidates put forward by the UN\u2019s five regional groups.<\/p>\n Russia is competing against Albania and Bulgaria for two seats allotted to the East European regional group, and Moscow\u2019s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused the United States on Monday of leading a campaign to prevent their return to the council.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> He said: \u201cThe main phobia of our American colleagues today is electing Russia to the Human Rights Council.\u201d<\/p>\n The United States and others have sent letters to many of the 193 members of the General Assembly urging a vote against Russia, according to diplomats. Felice Gaer, director of the American Jewish Committee\u2019s Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, was among the non-government letter-writers also urging Russia\u2019s defeat.<\/p>\n Albania\u2019s UN Ambassador Ferit Hoxha also urged those who care about human rights and \u201cthe credibility of the Human Rights Council and its work\u201d to oppose a country that kills innocent people, destroys civilian infrastructure, ports and grain silos \u201cand then takes pride in doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that Russia\u2019s re-election to the Human Rights Council \u201cwhile it openly continues to commit war crimes and other atrocities would be an ugly stain that would undermine the credibility of the institution and the United Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n In April 2022, less than two months after Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the General Assembly voted 93-24 with 58 abstentions on a US-initiated resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over allegations that its soldiers in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the US and Ukraine called war crimes.<\/p>\nVladimir Putin meets Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi<\/h3>\n
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West needs to mobilise MORE as Putin preparing Russia for ‘forever war'[PICTURES] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Russian-Ambassador-Vassily-Nebenzia-5004390.jpg?r=1696947293063\")
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