Saudi Arabia Denied Seat on UN Human Rights Council

October 11, 2024

Recently, Saudi Arabia tried to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) but was unsuccessful, finishing in sixth place. This outcome sheds light on how the world views Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and shows the challenges of balancing global human rights advocacy.

What happened during the Vote?

In the Asia-Pacific region, five countries were competing for seats on the UNHRC. The countries that won were Cyprus, the Marshall Islands, Qatar, South Korea, and Thailand. Saudi Arabia came in sixth, meaning it didn’t secure a seat.

Why is this vote Important?

This result is important because it signals that many countries are concerned about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, especially under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Several organizations, such as Reprieve, have accused Saudi Arabia of violating human rights. For some, this vote reflects a push for greater accountability, where nations with controversial human rights practices are not automatically granted positions of influence on global human rights issues.

International Reactions

Advocacy groups praised the outcome, saying it was a positive step in preventing powerful nations from influencing the human rights process unfairly. They believe this decision will make it harder for countries with questionable human rights records to participate in shaping international human rights standards.

In other regions, such as Africa, countries like Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Kenya were elected without competition. This contrasts with the Asia-Pacific vote, where the competition was tighter, and Saudi Arabia didn’t cut.

About the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

The UNHRC was created in 2006 to replace the previous Human Rights Commission. It has 47 member states that are elected for three-year terms. The council’s main role is to monitor and address human rights violations around the world. One of its key tools is the Universal Periodic Review, where the human rights records of all UN member states are assessed regularly. The UNHRC can also call for Special Sessions to respond to urgent human rights crises. Its headquarters are in Geneva, and it relies on voluntary funding. However, the council has faced criticism because some of its members have been accused of violating human rights themselves.

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