Russia will not participate in the special session of the Human Rights Council on Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that the Russian delegation will not participate in the special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Ukraine.

Russia Today website quoted Zakharova as saying in a statement today: “The Russian delegation refuses to attend the next session so as not to legitimize another biased political play,” adding: “Unfortunately, our explanations regarding the real goals of the special military operation in Ukraine and the real situation on the ground there were completely ignored.” …and it is clear that these explanations will not be listened to this time either.”

“At the same time, we witness the condoning of crimes committed by the Ukrainian army and ultra-nationalists against the civilian population of their country,” Zakharova said, stressing that “such attempts to impose a politicized agenda on the Human Rights Council are in line with the West’s tendency to use human rights to achieve its own interests.”

On May 12, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Ukraine in Geneva, at the request of the Kyiv authorities.

Last month, Moscow announced its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council after the United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend its membership in the Council due to the military operation in Ukraine.

NR