New York: Kuwait secured a seat on Friday on the UN Human Rights Council after Syria`s withdrawal following international pressure over its crackdown on opposition protests.
Rights groups quickly turned their attention to Kuwait`s record and said it must improve.
Kuwait was among 15 new nations to secure seats on the Geneva-based Human Rights Council following a vote at the UN General Assembly. The others include India, Indonesia, Philippines for Asia, along with Italy and Austria from Europe.
Syria withdrew from the race for a seat last week after coming under intense international pressure. But it has indicated plans to run for a seat again in 2013. Syria had been planned to be part of an agreed Asian slate of candidates for four available seats.
"Syria`s candidacy was obviously beyond the pale, but the issue is why it was able to run uncontested for a council seat in the first place," said Peggy Hicks of Human Rights Watch.
"Kuwait`s human rights record may be preferable to Syria`s, but that`s a remarkably low bar to meet."
Other rights groups and governments have also criticised Kuwait for its lack of democratic rule. The US State Department`s last human rights report on Kuwait pointed to only "limited" freedom of speech, religion and assembly.
The only contested seats were three candidates for two places from eastern Europe. Czech Republic and Romania were elected ahead of Georgia.
Burkina Faso, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin were elected for Africa.
Chile, Costa Rica and Peru secured seats from the Americas and Caribbean region. The 15 new members will start their two-year terms in June.
The 47-nation Human Rights Council was established in 2006 to promote rights standards and report on the performance of UN member states. It has taken on added significance since the United States decided to end its boycott of the council in 2009 and sought membership.
The other members include Russia, China and Saudi Arabia, whose rights records have been criticised.
Bureau Report
