A vote by the UN General Assembly on a resolution calling for Russia to be held responsible for violating international law by invading Ukraine, including by paying reparations, is scheduled for next week.
According to the draught resolution, which was obtained by The Associated Press, Russia’s “wrongful acts” against Ukraine call for the establishment of “an international mechanism for reparation for damage, loss, or injury.”
It would suggest that the 193 assembly members establish “an international register” to track claims and details regarding harm, loss, or damage to Ukrainians and the government brought on by Russia in collaboration with Ukraine.
Since President Vladimir Putin gave the order for his forces to invade Ukraine on February 24, Russia’s veto power in the Security Council, which consists of 15 members, has prevented the most powerful body of the UN from taking any action.
However, the General Assembly does not have veto power and has already passed four resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion.
General Assembly resolutions, unlike Security Council resolutions, are not legally enforceable, but they do reflect global sentiment and have shown widespread opposition to Russia’s military action.
Co-sponsors of the proposed resolution include Canada, Guatemala, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
There won’t be a debate on the draught resolution, according to General Assembly spokeswoman Paulina Kubiak, but nations may explain their votes before or after the assembly takes action.
The General Assembly would reiterate its demand that Russia immediately “cease its use of force against Ukraine” and withdraw all of its forces from Ukrainian territory. The resolution would also reaffirm the General Assembly’s commitment to Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.”
Along with that, it would also express “grave concern at the loss of life, displacement of civilians, destruction of infrastructure and natural resources, loss of public and private property, and economic catastrophe caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.
The proposal cites Article 14 of the UN Charter, which gives the General Assembly the power to “recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation… which it considers likely to impair the general welfare of friendly relations among nations, including violations of the Charter.
It also makes reference to a General Assembly resolution titled “Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law,” which was adopted on December 16, 2005.
The General Assembly passed its first resolution on March 2, shortly after Russia invaded, by a vote of 141 to 5, with 35 abstentions, calling for an immediate Russian cease-fire, the removal of all of its troops, and the protection of all civilians.
On March 24, the assembly voted 140-5 in favour of and 38 against a resolution accusing Russia of causing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The resolution also called for an immediate end to hostilities and the protection of millions of civilians, their homes, schools, and hospitals, all of which are vital to their survival.
On April 7, the assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over claims that Russian soldiers in Ukraine committed rights violations that the United States and Ukraine have described as war crimes. This vote was significantly lower than on the first two resolutions.
However, the assembly once more voted resoundingly on October 12 — 143-5 with 35 abstentions — to denounce Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four regions of Ukraine and demand a swift reversal.
UN to vote on resolution requiring Russia to make amends
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