WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden praised the UN General Assembly's "overwhelming vote" to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council in the wake of Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine.

"This is an important move by the world community further exposing how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war has rendered Russia an international pariah," Biden said in a statement released by the White House on Thursday night.

Because Russia is committing gross and systemic breaches of human rights, the US worked hard with its allies and partners around the world to encourage this decision. "Russian forces are committing crimes against humanity." The Human Rights Council does not include Russia.

"As the Council's Commission of Inquiry investigates Russia's violations and abuses of human rights in Ukraine, Russia will be unable to participate in the Council's work or propagate its disinformation there following today's historic vote." The photographs that have emerged from the ravaged Ukrainian cities, including Bucha, where a mass grave with over 300 victims was discovered, have been described by US President Barack Obama as "horrifying" and "an assault to our common humanity."

Because Russia's "lies are no match for the overwhelming reality of what is happening in Ukraine," Biden urged all nations to denounce Moscow's "unprovoked and brutal attack against Ukraine" and to assist Ukraine's brave people in their battle for independence.

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