Russia loses bid to regain seat on UN’s top human rights body

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya, left, listens to Vassily Nebenzia, permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations, during a meeting of the UN Security Council at United Nations headquarters (Craig Ruttle/AP/PA)

Russia was defeated in its bid to regain a seat in the UN’s premiere human rights body by a significant majority in Tuesday’s election in the General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia was competing against Albania and Bulgaria for two seats on the Geneva-based Human Rights Council representing the East European regional group.