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(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

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