The Czech Republic was chosen to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly to replace Russia.

It was suspended last month for its invasion of Ukraine and then abruptly left the 47-member organization.

Russia was in the second year of a three-year presidency.

The Czech Republic will serve out the remainder of that time on the council, having no legal authority.

However, its decisions have political heft, and it has the authority to order probes.

The Czech Republic was chosen, with 157 votes in favor and 23 countries abstaining.

The UN Security Council will have a special session on Ukraine, including a discussion of claims of huge casualties in Mariupol on Thursday.