India, Brazil abstains from UNHRC vote on Russian rights record

India along with Brazil abstained from voting on the UNHRC draft proposal favouring the appointment of an independent expert to step up scrutiny of Russia’s rights record

The UNHRC passed the resolution presented last week by all European Union member countries except Hungary, on a 17-6 vote, with 24 abstentions.

The original proposal alleged about “mass forced shutdowns” of independent media, non-governmental organisations and opposition groups in Russia.


It is the first time the council has authorised a special rapporteur to look into human rights issues in any of the five countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Bolivia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Kazakhstan and Venezuela voted against the proposal. Russia was a member of the Human Rights Council until earlier this year.