The General Assembly yesterday elected 14 States to serve on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
Those elected were Algeria, China, Cuba, France, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, United Kingdom and Viet Nam. All would serve three-year terms beginning on 1 January 2014.
To read more about the election procedure click here.
Notably and infamously, there are six of the newly appointed members – Algeria, China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam – that are not exactly considered as human rights champions in their own land. There were numerous attempts in the past weeks from NGOs and diplomatic circles to prevent their appointment, apparently unsuccessfully.
Last week’s news, but still interesting, that Jordan pulled out of this race in favor of China, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam (as candidates of the Asian group), trading the Human Rights Council seat to that of the Security Council which Saudi Arabia had just refused.
Another cause for outrage and concern, as these appointments should be rewards of achievements and good practices as opposed to political trade-offs between member states.
Whether these countries can contribute to fostering human rights in any positive measure though, we will see in the next three years.
