Many eyebrows were raised today when news went out that Belize had abstained from the vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. This is in wake of what are being called war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The vote went 93 in favor of suspension, 24 against and 58 abstentions, Belize being one of them.

The suspension passed and the opponents of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are calling it a major victory.

But, what does Belize say? Today, the Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay told KREM news, quote, "Belize has repeatedly condemned the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, and we have condemned the clear breaches of international humanitarian law by Russia. We have called for a ceasefire and for an end to this unnecessary and very damaging war. In our view, the negotiations should be encouraged and facilitated. The suspension of Russia from the HRC does not help with the overarching objective of a return to peace," end quote.

Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow took no comfort in that; he said the Opposition condemns GOB's abstention on the vote. He added, quote, "There is zero room for flexibility on the matter where thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being slaughtered by Russian military everyday Belize faces her own existential threat with an unfounded claim to our land by a neighboring Nation who may very well be inspired to follow the diabolical actions of the Russians if the world does not respond forcefully and unequivocally to deter this kind unlawful behavior. Thus we must not waiver on this issue of human rights, international law and war crimes." End quote.

Channel 7

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration on Today’s UN Vote to Suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council

Belize has co-sponsored and supported two United Nations resolutions, on March 2 and March 24, 2022, regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those resolutions expressed strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, called for immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent diplomatic efforts to seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and expressed grave concern about the plight of civilians in Ukraine.

The UN resolutions of March 2 and March 24 aligned with the national position of Belize expressed in public statements which the government issued on February 4 and February 24, 2022.

On April 7, 2022, Belize abstained on a resolution tabled in the UN General Assembly to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Belize took the decision to abstain following obligatory consultations among CARICOM Member States on April 4 and April 7, which did not yield a consensus regional position.

Belize notes that the HRC has established a Commission of Inquiry mandated to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Additionally, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor is currently investigating the situation in Ukraine, including any alleged war crimes and any alleged crimes against humanity in all parts of Ukraine.

Considering that these investigations are still ongoing, Belize is of the view that a determination to suspend Russia from the HRC would be best considered after the receipt of any definitive and actionable findings resulting from the investigations.

Several CARICOM Member States also abstained in the April 7 vote including Barbados, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Belize remains resolute in its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supports every effort to peacefully end the war.