Sri Lanka, condemned for its poor human rights record, lost its bid recently to become a member of the UN Human Rights Council. But four others - Pakistan, Bahrain, Gabon and Zambia also rebuked on the same account have succeeding in winning seats for themselves. A close contest was witnessed for the two western seats in this UN body between France which bagged 123 votes and Britain that got 120 votes.

 

Spain was the third close contestant with 119 votes. Though the performance of the United Nations Human Rights Council is being questioned, interested parties avidly contested for its 15 seats during the election held recently. Members for this UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva, are chosen by regional groups and the entire General Assembly consisting of 192 members voted through a secret ballot for new members.  

 

Japan, Bahrain, South Korea and Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and East Timor in the contest for the four UN Human Rights Council seats. On the other hand, Slovakia and Ukraine beat Serbia and the Czech Republic while contesting for two seats in the Eastern European group. Applicants Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana and Zambia for the four African Council seats and applicants Argentina, Brazil and Chile for Latin America faced no competition and thus won smoothly. The new entrants in this 47 member council will serve a three-year term beginning 20 June.