Russia-Ukraine war: India abstains from UNHRC vote on establishing independent commission of inquiry

The UN rights body sought an independent international inquiry commission in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

While the 47-member Council voted “overwhelmingly” with 32 in favour of the draft resolution, Russia and Eritrea remained against it and 13 other members abstained, including India, China, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela.

“The Human Rights Council has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” the global rights body tweeted.

The resolution “condemned in the strongest possible terms human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”

On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly, which overwhelmingly voted to deplore Moscow’s invasion, gave a standing ovation when the results were displayed on the screen.

However, India abstained from voting against Russia at the emergency special session on the ongoing crisis.