(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