Elections to UN Human Rights Council shows flaws

Source: Xinhua | 05-13-2009 07:56

UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Three years after the establishment of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the lack of competition in Tuesday's elections among countries vying for a seat is a stark example of the panel's shortcomings.

"The General Assembly wants the Human Rights Council to have competitive elections," Craig Mokhiber, deputy director of the New York office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said here on Tuesday. "It would be better to have more candidates. Hopefully going forward, there will be more competition."

Mohkiber made the remarks shortly after the General Assembly elected 18 countries to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council.

In 2006, the UN Council in charge of promoting human rights replaced the Human Rights Commission because it appeared as if states seeking membership did not do so to strengthen human rights but to protect themselves against criticism or to criticize others, said a panel of former diplomats involved in the change at that time.

But three years down the line and the lack competition in the Council's election process is a reminder that there is still room for improvement. Out of 18 open seats in this year's election, only 20 countries announced their candidacy.

Each of the five regions is allotted a certain number of seats. In Tuesday's election, only Africa and Eastern Europe submitted more candidates (one each) than the number of seats allowed. The rest of the regions -- Asia, Latin America and the Western European and Other -- pledged the minimum number of candidates, thereby eliminating any form of competition.

For example, the Western European and Other region is granted three seats but only three countries were nominated -- Belgium, Norway, and, for the first time, the United States – guaranteeing all of their elections.

To the dismay of many, when the U.S. announced its candidacy in April, New Zealand withdrew its pledge from the Geneva-based council.

Speaking to reporters outside the General Assembly, UN advocacy director for Human Rights Watch Steve Crawshaw said the lack of competition within the groups was "regrettable," and expressed his hope that members would send a strong signal that competition matters.