United Nations suspends Russia from human rights body over Ukraine

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, speaks to reporters at Bucharest train station after announcing Washington will seek to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council, in Bucharest, Romania April 4, 2022. REUTERS/Michelle Nichols/File Photo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday suspended Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council over reports of "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights" by invading Russian troops in Ukraine.

The U.S.-led push garnered 93 votes in favor, while 24 countries voted no and 58 countries abstained. A two-thirds majority of voting members - abstentions do not count - was needed to suspend Russia from the 47-member council.