Libya expected to join U.N. Human Rights Council

May 13, 2010
JTA
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/05/13/2394796/un-to-put-libya-on-human-rights-council

(JTA) -- A United Nations General Assembly vote is expected to put Libya on the Human Rights Council.

Fourteen countries are vying for an equal number of open seats on the 47-member body. The election is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Other countries on the slate of candidates include Uganda, Mauritania, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain and Switzerland. 

A majority of General Assembly members could vote against Libya and deny it a seat.

B'nai B'rith International urged the assembly to prevent Libya from sitting on the council in a letter earlier this week.

 "Only those with an exemplary human rights record at home should be considered fit to serve on the UNHRC," the letter said. "It is imperative that candidates for council seats hold values that demonstrate respect for universal human rights."

A coalition of 30 nongovernmental organizations, including many from Africa as well as Libyan victims' groups, also appealed to the United States and European Union representatives at the United Nations to block Libya from winning a seat.

Libya has held several important seats in U.N. diplomatic bodies since making peace with Washington in 2003 and agreeing to halt its nuclear weapons program, including the African Union chairmanship, the U.N. Security Council and the presidency of the U.N. General Assembly.