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China says suspending Russia from UN human rights body sets ‘dangerous new precedent’
- Beijing voted against the resolution but it was passed with a more than two-thirds majority
- Foreign ministry spokesman says China ‘opposes the politicisation’ of human rights issues
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China has called the move to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council an act of “politicisation” that will set a “dangerous new precedent”.
The US-led resolution to unseat Moscow from the council was passed on Thursday after hundreds of civilians’ bodies were found following Russia’s retreat from the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital.
In Beijing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the drafting of the resolution was “not open and transparent” and that the move could worsen the conflict in Ukraine.
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“The decision [to suspend Russia] from the UN Human Rights Council will only exacerbate the division among member states … and set a dangerous new precedent,” Zhao said in a regular press briefing.
“China firmly opposes the politicisation … of human rights issues and using human rights issues to put pressure on other countries.”
The vote in the UN General Assembly, which oversees the Geneva-based council, achieved the two-thirds majority needed to pass, with 93 in favour and 24 against, including China. India was among the 58 members that abstained.
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