Czech Republic to supersede Russia on UNHRC; will retain seat till December 2023

In a key development amid relentless war in Eastern Europe,  United Nations General Assembly on May 10, Tuesday, voted to elect Czech Republic to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Czech Republic has replaced Russia on UN's human rights body following latter's suspension over allegations of grave human rights breaches in war-ravaged Ukraine. A total of 157 nations have voted in favour of Czech Republic's inclusion while 23 nations have abstained from voting. 

Taking to its official Twitter handle, UNHRC informed that Czech Republic retains seat until 31 December 2023. Czech Republic's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavsky, responding to development, thanked member states of UN for ir support and trust in country. Czech Republic's inclusion in  UNHRC came after country h submitted a candidacy proposal to human rights body in April. Foreign Ministry of Czech Republic, in a tweet in April, h stated that Russia needs to be held responsible for military offensive, human suffering and destruction in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Lipavsky h n said that Russia h been suspended from UN human rights body, ding that country has applied to replace Moscow in UNHRC.

It is pertinent to mention here that UN General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council on April 7. A total of 93 countries h voted in favour and 24 h voted against resolution while 58 nations h abstained from voting. After UNGA suspended Russia, its deputy ambassor Genny Kuzmin informed United Nations about Kremlin's decision to withdraw from Human Rights Council ahe of vote, reported AP. 

Russia withdraws from UN World Tourism Organization

Earlier on April 27, United Nations World Tourism Organization announced that Russia has decided to withdraw from United Nations Tourism body. UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili took to his official Twitter handle to announce Russia's decision. According to UNWTO, Russia has announced its intention to withdraw from body ahe of a vote to suspend Kremlin for its military offensive in Ukraine. Informing about Russia's decision, UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili tweeted, "UNWTO was first UN agency to dress membership of Russia. Today, Russia announced ir intention to withdraw from UNWTO. Our statues are clear: promotion of tourism for peace & universal respect for human rights. Only Members that abide by this can be part of UNWTO." 

Inputs from AP