Belgrade protests for Russia in mass rally
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Serbians took to the streets in their country's capital to protest in favor of Russia following Serbia's vote to suspend Moscow's membership in the UN Human Rights Council.
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Serbian protestors marching in support of Russia in Belgrade, Serbia, April 15, 2022
A mass protest action "Not on my behalf" over Serbia's vote for Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council began on Friday evening in the center of Belgrade, Sputnik reported.
The crowd just started marching as more people join the protest. pic.twitter.com/X98LWxXZVg
— Balkan Insight (@BalkanInsight) April 15, 2022
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets, holding pro-Russian banners and waving Serbian and Russian flags. They gathered at the monument of Tsar Nicolas II, the last Russian emperor toppled by the Bolshevik revolution.
Београд: Више хиљадa грађана на протесту „Не у наше име“ поводом гласања Србије против Русије у УН. Бакље и димне бомбе испред Председништва, окачена застава Русије и скандирање - „Вучићу шиптару“ https://t.co/cVkzFbnpOs pic.twitter.com/m6E9gbqIZt
— НСПМ online (@NSPM) April 15, 2022
The monument is located near the building of the election commission and across the road from the residence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and protesters blocked the main street, with the police not interfering.
Скуп подршке Руском народу ...
— Kentaur Wolf2 (@fragma_dia2) April 15, 2022
Недао вам Бог да уведете санкције и овако сте нас обрукали pic.twitter.com/JKiiP29COR
Last week, the UN General Assembly suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council in a 93-24 vote, with 58 countries abstaining.
The move deprived Moscow of the right to vote and to speak in the council and, in response, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gennady Kuzmin said Russia was ending its membership in the UN body.
The possible suspension of the Russian Federation from the UNHRC may have devastating consequences for the UN, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky wrote on his Telegram channel as the decision to suspend Moscow's membership was discussed.
"It is a symbolic step by the US and its allies, which is fraught with devastating consequences for the UN system," Polyansky said. He further added that the situation is one of Western countries seeking to undermine UN institutions under the guise of punishing Russia.
Before Russia ended its membership in the body, US representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said expelling Russia would be impossible, stressing that the West would do everything in its power to isolate Moscow.
The West also suspended Russia's membership in the UN Security Council. This was the second-ever suspension of a country from the council since its establishment, with Libya being the first in 2011 when the whole West, mainly NATO members, conspired against Tripoli and led a devastating military campaign that ran the country to the ground in addition to numerous war crimes.
What is noteworthy is that the suspension came after Moscow pushed for the UN Security Council to hear about the Ukrainian crime in Bucha, where Kiev and the West accused Russian soldiers of killing civilians in the town.
