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India re-elected to UN Commission on Human Rights
United Nations, Apr 30: India has been re-elected to the 53-member United Nations Commission on Human Rights from the Asian group for a three-year term, getting maximum number of 47 votes in a secret ballot.
United Nations, Apr 30: India has been re-elected to the 53-member United Nations Commission on Human Rights from the Asian group for a three-year term, getting maximum number of 47 votes in a secret ballot.
Others elected from group in the first round included Saudi Arabia with 45 votes, Qatar (44 votes), Bhutan (39 votes) and Nepal (39 votes).
While securing the highest number of votes, India improved its record of 42 votes in 2000 when Saudi Arabia had polled 48 votes.
Thailand, which polled 29 votes, was eliminated in the first round itself. But Indonesia and Iran were tied with 33 votes each. That necessitated a second round in which Jakarta got 31 votes defeating Tehran, which could manage only 23 votes. North Korea, Cambodia and Vietnam, who were also candidates for the Asian seats, withdrew before from the race.
Britain, Italy and the Netherlands won from among western nations in the secret ballot in which Portugal was eliminated.
Among those re-elected was Russia from east European states without any opposition. Also elected from the region was Hungary.
Egypt, South Africa, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Mauritania were elected from the African group without contest. Latin American chose Cuba, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru who were elected with acclamation.
The United States had lost the seat on the commission 2001 after being continuously on it for 50 years but won it back in a year later.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which coordinates work of United Nations' specialized agencies and functional and regional commissions, elects members to the commission. The regional groups try to reach consensus on the candidates from their respective regions but if they are unable to do so, ECOSOC holds the election.
The commission, based in Geneva, has mandate to promote universal enjoyment of all human rights. But in recent years, human rights groups have sharply criticised the election of members who, they say, have questionable human rights records.
Bureau Report
While securing the highest number of votes, India improved its record of 42 votes in 2000 when Saudi Arabia had polled 48 votes.
Thailand, which polled 29 votes, was eliminated in the first round itself. But Indonesia and Iran were tied with 33 votes each. That necessitated a second round in which Jakarta got 31 votes defeating Tehran, which could manage only 23 votes. North Korea, Cambodia and Vietnam, who were also candidates for the Asian seats, withdrew before from the race.
Britain, Italy and the Netherlands won from among western nations in the secret ballot in which Portugal was eliminated.
Among those re-elected was Russia from east European states without any opposition. Also elected from the region was Hungary.
Egypt, South Africa, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Mauritania were elected from the African group without contest. Latin American chose Cuba, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru who were elected with acclamation.
The United States had lost the seat on the commission 2001 after being continuously on it for 50 years but won it back in a year later.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which coordinates work of United Nations' specialized agencies and functional and regional commissions, elects members to the commission. The regional groups try to reach consensus on the candidates from their respective regions but if they are unable to do so, ECOSOC holds the election.
The commission, based in Geneva, has mandate to promote universal enjoyment of all human rights. But in recent years, human rights groups have sharply criticised the election of members who, they say, have questionable human rights records.
Bureau Report