Guyana abstained on Russia rights council suspension vote to await UN investigations – Ali

Even as he reiterated Guyana’s condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the current war, President Irfaan Ali yesterday defended Guyana’s abstention vote on the United Nations resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council for gross excesses in Ukraine, saying the country awaits findings of the United Nations investigations.

“We are very strong against this war. We are very strong against the invasion of Ukraine. We stand solidly with the rest of the world in condemning the war and in asking Russia to go back to diplomacy and in having this war brought to an end. That is without a doubt,” Ali said yesterday when asked the reason Guyana abstained from voting.

“This matter was discussed among [CARICOM] Heads. There is an ongoing process. There are two things that are happening- the UN has launched a process of doing the investigation to come up with the factual basis on what is happening in terms of human rights violations and what we have said once the report comes out, then the findings of that report must be respected and supported,” he explained

Just a day after CARICOM Heads reaffirmed an obligation to co-ordinate foreign policy, there was a deep division in the ranks at a crucial United Nations vote on Thursday over suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council for gross excesses in Ukraine.

The resolution to suspend Russia alleged “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” by its invading army in Ukraine was carried by a vote of 93 in favour, 24 against and 58 abstentions.

Russia had warned countries that a yes vote or abstention will be viewed as an “unfriendly gesture,” with consequences for bilateral ties, according to a note seen by Reuters.

Guyana was among those CARICOM countries which abstained and questions were immediately asked about this decision, given the discovery of mass killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha after Russian troops withdrew.

Those Caribbean nations that voted for the resolution included Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica and St Lucia.

Joining Guyana in abstaining were Barbados, Belize, St Kitts-Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

Government sources had pointed out that the decision to abstain was a CARICOM one. There was, however, an even split between the 14 voting members – seven voted yes and an equal number abstained.

The president said that he could not speak for that half of CARICOM that voted yes or any other country other than the one he governs and his position is that Guyana will support every action to bring a swift end to the ongoing war.

“Let me very clear on this; we are very strongly in support of every action to bring this war to an end… we are against the invasion of Ukraine and the military action,” he emphasised.

Ali yesterday said that this nation is also “working with CARICOM” as it assesses the region’s views of the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.

“We were coordinating information flow also to understand what is happening in the rest of the region. This is something that came up very quickly. You would appreciate that. It is weighty decisions. Once that report comes [we will decide],” the President said.