Ukraine conflict: UNHRC votes for probe into rights violations

Geneva: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted with the majority to create a high-level probe into the violations committed during the Russian invasion into Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported.

Thirty-two of 47 members in the council voted in favour of establishing the probe and holding the perpetrators responsible. Russia, obviously, and Eritrea voted against the move while 13 members, including China, Venezuela and Cuba, abstained from it.

Ukraine's representative said he thanked all those who voted for the right cause.

On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly in New York had issued a rebuke with 141 against 5 votes, disapproving Russia's invasion and demanding its immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

The UNHRC also condemned the human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law that happened due to the Russian invasion into Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

Kyiv presented a text which called for the "swift and verifiable withdrawal of Russian Federation troops and Russian-backed armed groups from the entire territory of Ukraine".

Friday's vote called for the appointment of three investigators to establish the facts, circumstances and leading causes of the reported violations and abuses. They have to gather evidence that could ensure the perpetrators are held responsible, Kyiv's text said.

Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice in Hague has already commenced a probe on possible war crimes during the Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, the US accused Russia on Wednesday of launching a fully-fledged attack on "media and truth". The US pointed out how Moscow blocked independent news outlets and prevented Russians from hearing news from Ukraine. The US State Department said that Russia is strangling Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram platforms to prevent millions of citizens from having independent news, opinions etc.