The recent annual elections for the United Nations Human Rights Council have raised significant concerns as several regimes with well-documented human rights violations secured their seats. Countries such as Qatar, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Bolivia have joined the council, intensifying worries about the body’s credibility and effectiveness. Notably, Saudi Arabia made its second unsuccessful bid for membership in four years, losing to the Marshall Islands, which underscores the challenges the council faces in maintaining a standards-based approach regarding human rights. The Human Rights Council’s stated mission is to combat global human rights abuses and promote articulated international human rights norms; however, this mission has been undermined as it has historically allowed despotic regimes to exert influence, compromising its potential for genuine reform.
The latest council members will replace outgoing states, including the United Arab Emirates, Lithuania, and the United States, and they will join a troubling roster that includes some of the world’s most notorious human rights offenders, such as China and Cuba. The continued presence of nations with a history of systematic abuses highlights the ineffectiveness of the Human Rights Council in enforcing accountability. The elections are conducted via secret ballot, which diminishes transparency and allows states to support authoritarian governments without facing public scrutiny. This electoral mechanism has the unintended consequence of enabling a cycle where oppressive regimes maintain a foothold in global human rights discussions, effectively neutralizing any efforts to hold them accountable for their actions.
Among the newly elected members, several countries stand out for their particularly troubling human rights records. For example, Bolivia has faced political turmoil and repression since Evo Morales attempted to hold on to power beyond his term, leading to accusations of authoritarianism. The Organization of American States raised alarms about electoral fraud during Morales’s last election, prompting his subsequent exile and the temporary leadership of Jeanine Áñez, who has since been imprisoned on dubious charges. Her detention exemplifies the loss of democratic integrity in Bolivia and casts a shadow over the country’s role in the Human Rights Council.
Similarly, Qatar’s admission is alarming given its record of repression and exploitation. As a nation governed by sharia law, it has been criticized for its oppressive treatment of individuals accused of violating Islamic codes, and it faced accusations of using forced labor to construct infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, resulting in significant casualties among laborers. In addition, the Qatari Ambassador to the UN has a history of making antisemitic remarks, raising further ethical concerns about the nation’s representation in discussions surrounding human rights. This is particularly striking considering Qatar will continue to maintain its seat while facing minimal repercussions for its abuses.
Ethiopia’s election is another cause for concern, especially in light of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s actions during the civil war against the Tigrayan people, which involved allegations of genocide. Ahmed’s government has blocked access to essential supplies for the Tigrayan population, leading to widespread humanitarian crises. Organizations monitoring human rights issues have expressed dismay at Ethiopia’s election to the council, arguing it undermines the credibility of the Human Rights Council when member states are actively engaging in mass atrocity crimes. The contorted relationship between membership and accountability showcases the challenges of rectifying human rights violations within the council’s framework.
The DRC represents yet another troubling entrant to the Human Rights Council, with ongoing conflicts driven by power struggles over mineral resources characterized by child labor and dangerous working conditions. The lack of political freedom and fair electoral processes in the DRC perpetuates a cycle of human rights abuses that further complicates the council’s mission. The broader implications of these electoral outcomes reveal a council that has struggled to expel members with clear human rights violations, achieving only two expulsions in its history. This indicates a systemic issue within the Human Rights Council structure that permits the perpetuation of abusive regimes while undermining international efforts to uphold human rights globally.
Moreover, the lack of competitive elections for most new members, apart from the Asia-Pacific region, highlights the ease with which states with dubious human rights records can ascend to influential positions within the council. The defeat of Saudi Arabia, which shares a similar reputation with Qatar, serves as an anomaly, as it continues to seek council membership despite experiencing ongoing human rights criticisms. As the Human Rights Council prepares for a new term starting January 1, the composition of its membership raises pressing questions about its efficacy in promoting human rights principles globally. The presence of nations that perpetrate human rights abuses within a platform designed for safeguarding them evokes deep skepticism regarding the council’s future impact and credibility.