(Read full article on rferl.org)

The UN General Assembly has voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” by invading Russian troops in Ukraine.

The resolution received 93 votes in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstentions.

The U.S.-initiated resolution adopted by the 193-member General Assembly expressed “grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his gratitude to the UN members who voted in favor of suspending Russia from the Geneva-based 47-member council, which is the UN’s leading human rights organization.

The rebuke marked only the second time a country has been dismissed from the council, which was founded in 2006. Libya’s suspension in 2011 was the first.