The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday voted to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over reports of "serious and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" by invading Russian troops in Ukraine.

At the initiative of the United States and its allies, the General Assembly approved this measure with 93 votes in favor, 24 against and 58 abstentions.

A

two-thirds majority of the votes

of the Member States is required.

members - abstentions do not count - to suspend a country from the 47-member council.

Libya was suspended in 2011 due to violence against protesters by forces loyal to then leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The approved text expresses "serious concern about the current humanitarian and human rights crisis in Ukraine", in particular about reports of abuses by Russia.

Explaining the measure, announced on Monday, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said: "It is important to say (to Russia): "

we are not going to allow you to continue acting with such impunity

and pretending that you respect human rights'".

Russia has warned countries that this expulsion (an affirmative vote in the Assembly) would be seen as a

'hostile gesture' with consequences

for bilateral ties.

Since the war began on February 24, the Assembly has adopted two resolutions denouncing Russia with 141 and 140 votes in favor.

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