(New York, May 10, 2007) – On May 17, the United Nations General Assembly will hold elections for 14 of the 47 seats on the new Human Rights Council. Shockingly, among the states seeking election is Belarus, a state that does not come close to meeting the requirements for membership on this human rights body. Human Rights Council members are required to uphold the “highest standards” of human rights and “fully cooperate” with the council. Belarus fails on both counts.

Send a fax or email today urging your country’s UN ambassador to vote against Belarus in the May 17 election. Find the information at the United Nations website.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
UN Documents  
General Assembly resolution 61/175 on the situation of human rights in Belarus (December 9, 2006)  
Report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus (2007)  
Reports by thematic Special Procedures  
UN webpage on the 2007 Human Rights Council election  
 
European Documents  
Council of Europe statement opposing Belarus' candidacy
OSCE report on Belarus' 2006 presidential election  
Office for a Democratic Belarus  
International Helsinki Federation report on Belarus  
 
Additional Research on Human Rights in Belarus  
Human Rights Watch webpage on Belarus  
Amnesty International webpage on Belarus
   
Related Campaigns
Say No to Egypt

Numerous organizations, including HRW, are also strongly opposed to Egypt’s candidacy for the Human Rights Council.
Nineteen Egyptian Human Rights Groups Say Egypt Unfit for Council Membership