The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) approved this Thursday tob suspend Russia as a permanent observer in the organization, in punishment for the invasion of Ukraine. The Permanent Council gave the green light to a resolution against Russia with 25 votes in favor, 0 against, 8 abstentions and one absence.
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, United States, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela voted in favor.
The eight abstentions were from Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. The absence was from Nicaragua.
The resolution, submitted by Guatemala and Antigua and Barbuda, with the support of Canada, Colombia, the United States, Grenada and Uruguay, was approved at an extraordinary meeting of the OAS Permanent Council, which was held in a hybrid manner.
The suspension has immediate effect and will last until “the Russian Government ceases its hostilities, withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders and returns to the path of dialogue and diplomacy”, reads the text.
The resolution justifies the measure by the growing number of deaths and displaced persons, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In this regard, the Council stated that it was “shocked” by reports of the “terrible atrocities” committed by Russia in Ukrainian cities such as Bucha, Irpin and Mariupol and at the Kramatorsk railway station, in addition to being concerned about the violation of international law.
Another factor that has weighed on the suspension is what is referred to in the resolution as “indifference” on the part of Russia to the “exhortations” of the OAS to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
This Thursday's session was attended by Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro, who noted in his speech, immediately after the vote, that the OAS “has an important role to play in promoting international peace and stability.”
“Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its ongoing war, Guatemala has stated that it was impossible to remain spectators in this crisis,” said Búcaro, who emphasized that the region of the Americas has been affected by “the economic repercussions” of the conflict and its impact on food security.
With Russia, the OAS has 72 permanent observers, who can attend all public meetings of its General Assembly and the Permanent Council, among others. In return, these countries cooperate with the organization in training, expert and equipment programs and make financial contributions.
The decision of the OAS Permanent Council comes after the UN countries suspended Russia's participation in the Human Rights Council on April 7, an almost unprecedented measure with which the United States and its allies seek to continue isolating Moscow in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
(With information from EFE)
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