Human Rights Elections

In today’s NY Times, former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel adds his voice to the chorus criticising the UN’s Human Rights Council. Tomorrow, the General Assembly will elect the 47 Member States of the Council for the coming term. Prominent new Member States include the United States, China, Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Following the change of president in Washington, it will be interesting to see what influence, if any, the US will be able to assert. Likewise, the contributions of Cuba (which is experiencing a change in relations to the US) will be interesting to follow. Unfortunately, should Saudi Arabia and Russia be elected, as is expected, it is likely that criticism of the Council will continue.