Open Discussion

[Yatharth Pandey]

[Ani Prakash]

Topic: Russia’s suspension from UN Human Rights Council Russia’s recent suspension from the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday is a monumental step pushed by global democracies on their efforts to respect human rights and the foundational principles of international law. Since Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, we have witnessed day after day Russia doing little to uphold the fundamental values of human rights. The recent vote by the General Assembly is a step up for respecting human rights and preserving our international legal system. But, this is only just the beginning. We need other countries to do more than what they are pursuing in order to continue isolating Russia from the international community. These include democracies, like Brazil and India, who have abstained from voting in favor for removing Russia from the UN Human Rights Council and I feel that if these representative democracies continue to preside as the reluctant warriors in this fight against tyranny, this would invite Russia to pursue further atrocities against innocent civilians in Ukraine. Now is the time to act and now is the time to stand on the right side of history for our democracy and our Western values to be safeguarded from the shadows of autocracy.

[Ani Prakash]

To follow up on my previous comment, I would just like to take note of India’s recent abstention from yesterday’s UNGA resolution on suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. India, since its independence in 1947, was born to be a representative democracy and still this day serves as one of the largest democracies in the world. Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, India has continuously abstained UNGA resolutions or UNSC resolutions on condemning Russia for their violations of international law and still hasn’t done anything necessary to prevent Russia from committing further atrocities against civilians in Ukraine. As an Indian-American, I find it deeply disturbing to see India continuing to act reluctant over punishing Russia for their human rights abuses. I get that India and Russia possess a historical relationship that dates back to 1971, when the former USSR helped India defeat Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. I understand that 50% of the weaponry used by the Indian military comes from Russia and that India would not have the willpower to counter China, if they aren’t provided with security guarantees from the Russians. That doesn’t mean India should continue to act hesitant over standing up to aggressors against our world system. Russia has systemically committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of aggression against Ukrainian civilians since the start of their invasion. Now is the time for representative democracies, like India, to stand up and stand on the right side of history, rather than the wrong side of history. India is a prospective candidate for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and for this republic to be successfully qualified in receiving that permanent seat, this is the time to speak up. This is the time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government of the Republic of India stand up against Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, stand alongside other Western nations to increasingly isolate Russia from the world stage, and stand up for our Western ideals and our democracy. To Prime Minister Modi, to Foreign Minister Jaishankar, and to Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti to the UN, now is the time to act.

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