Source: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/66122.htm \o http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/66122.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/66122.htm 
Date: May 11, 2006

Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 11, 2006

United Nations Human Rights Council Elections

The United States notes the election of new Human Rights Council members on May 9. We reiterate our commitment to working cooperatively with Member States to make the Council as effective as possible in promoting human rights. The United States will engage with the Council to safeguard and expand human rights around the world. 
While the Council as a whole is an improvement over the former Commission on Human Rights, a number of those elected lack a genuine commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. At the same time, we are pleased that the international community has chosen not to elect some candidates that have very poor human rights records, such as Iran and Venezuela. 
These elections represent the first test of the credibility and effectiveness of this new Council. The next test will be whether or not the Council can take effective action in the coming months to address serious human rights problems around the world. The Council will have the opportunity to prove itself when it meets in June. It must do all within its power to see to it that the world’s vulnerable populations are protected and their rights enhanced, promoted and institutionalized. 
2006/481 
Released on May 11, 2006