Non-governmental groups have called on United Nations member states to oppose the admission of Afghanistan, Algeria, Sudan, Venezuela, and Vietnam to the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), citing “problematic” human rights records.
The U.N. General Assembly will hold elections for 14 new council members on Tuesday. A joint NGO report [pdf] released on Oct. 3 drew attention to the “unqualified” nations running for seats in the council.
These nations include Venezuela, which is running for re-election in the Latin America group, as well as Afghanistan and Vietnam—which are both vying for four vacant seats in the Asia-Pacific group.
Algeria and Sudan are also controversial candidates vying for four vacant seats in their regional group. United Nations Watch said both are “almost guaranteed to win” unless member states refuse to endorse candidates running on a clean slate….