Ernst, Van Hollen Lead Bipartisan Push to Suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council, Interpol, G-20 and Deter World Bank, IMF Investments
Bipartisan legislation would direct the Secretary of State to push for Russia’s suspension from key international organizations and to deter international investment in the country.
WASHINGTON – As Russia’s brutal and lawless invasion of Ukraine continues and in the wake of global backlash from tragic reports emerging of the massacre of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are leading a bipartisan effort to suspend Russia from key international organizations and to deter international investment in the country.
The lawmakers are introducing bipartisan legislation, called the Russian Federation Suspension Act, to direct the Secretary of State to use the voice, vote, and influence of the U.S. to suspend or cease cooperation with Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council, Interpol, and the G-20 and to empower diplomats to oppose any non-humanitarian World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) development assistance or lending to Russia.
“Vladimir Putin has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt his complete disregard for humanity and our international norms and he should have no place or say in these key international bodies, like the UN Human Rights Council, nor be able to benefit off of international investments,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Amid Putin’s bloody and lawless invasion of Ukraine, this bipartisan measure takes a long overdue step in kicking Russia off of these international bodies while deterring international investment there.”
“Putin’s depravity knows no limit, and Putin’s Russia must be stripped of membership in important international organizations. For weeks the world has watched in horror as he and the Russian military have indiscriminately shelled apartment buildings, hospitals, and schools and killed fleeing civilians. Through these and other inhumane actions, Putin has forfeited Russia’s participation on the U.N. Human Rights Council and in other key international organizations. Our bipartisan bill would help ensure Russia is denied these privileges,” said Senator Van Hollen.
Last month, Ernst called for Russia to be expelled from the UN Security Council after the country used its permanent position on the body, and its temporary role as chair of the council, to block a resolution demanding Moscow halt its horrific and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. China abstained from the vote. Van Hollen previously joined a letter to the administration urging the UN to remove Russia from the Human Rights Council.
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