For those of you craving a little good news, you'll be happy to hear that Russia has lost its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

 

The vote to remove the country was based in large part on the country's growing intolerance towards its minorities. For example, in 2013, Vladimir Putin signed the infamous "gay propaganda" law, which made it illegal to promote homosexuality in a positive way. This has led to banning of Pride parades, arrests of LGBT activists, and a continued erosion of what little free speech existed under Putin.

 

However, much of the pressure to deny Russia a spot came from rights groups upset over the country's partnership with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Assad has been accused of targeting his own people with military strikes in order to maintain his dictatorship.

 

There were only two seats available on the council for the Eastern European block. Russia was hoping to keep its seat, which it has held for three years; both Hungary and Croatia also wanted on the council. Hungary and Croatia won the spots, with the latter beating out Russia by a mere two votes.

 

 

Still, you know that Putin is pissed at this obvious slight, and that makes us very happy.

 

Russia fails to win re-election to U.N. Human Rights Council [Reuters]

 

Russia Voted Off U.N. Human Rights Council  [Wall Street Journal]