China, Russia and Cuba have been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the organization that oversees compliance with human rights treaties worldwide. Human rights organizations are concerned because these three countries have a bad human rights record.
In today’s vote in New York, fifteen seats were available in the body, in which 47 countries are represented.
China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Nepal were elected in the Asia Pacific group. Saudi Arabia was also on the list, but did not receive enough votes. Cuba did get enough votes, as did Mexico, Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Malawi and Senegal.
‘Clean blazon’
Human rights organizations were vehemently against the appointment of China, Russia and Cuba in particular. According to diplomatic expert Robert van de Roer, these concerns are justified.
These countries do not have a “clean coat of arms,” he argues NOS Radio 1 News. “Human rights organizations compare it to foxes you let guard a coop.”
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