Libya to join U.N. human rights panel despite opposition

The U.N. General Assembly voted to put Libya on the Human Rights Council.

Among the 14 countries elected May 13 with Libya for as many seats on the 47-member body were Uganda, Mauritania, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain and Switzerland. The new members will serve three-year terms.

Libya had the fewest number of votes, 155 of the 192 General Assembly members.

Iran withdrew its candidacy last month after the United States and other assembly members expressed the opinion that the Islamic Republic’s human rights record was not good enough to serve on the council.

In a letter earlier this week, B’nai B’rith International had urged the assembly to prevent Libya from sitting on the council.

A coalition of 30 nongovernmental organizations, including many from Africa as well as Libyan victims’ groups, also appealed to U.S.and EU representatives 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 General Assembly. — jta