GENEVA, March 27. /TASS/. The announcement by some Western countries, including the US, that they are suspending funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is nothing but blackmail, Russia’s delegation to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council said.

"We see the announcement by a US-led group of countries of their suspension of UNRWA funding as an act of blackmail by donors and a politicization of humanitarian issues," Russian delegation member Olga Vorontsova said, addressing the session. Russia believes that Israel’s suspicions about some of the UN agency’s employees "cannot and should not be used as an excuse for the collective punishment of millions of Palestinians."

"We once again emphasize the need to end blatant violations of the rights of Palestinians and bring efforts to resolve the conflict onto the political track," the Russian diplomat went on to say. "That said, we welcome the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire until the end of the month of Ramadan and the release of Israeli hostages," Vorontsova added.

In late January, a number of countries, including the UK, Germany and the US, announced the suspension of UNRWA funding based on suspicion of its ties to the radical Palestinian movement Hamas.

The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place in Geneva from February 26 to April 5. Although not a council member, Russia takes an active part in its meetings.