Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations warned that electing Iran and Syria to the United Nations Human Rights Council would create a discrediting conflict of interest.
“It’s like placing a mob boss in charge of the witness protection program,” Ambassador Ron Prosor said July 11. He was reacting to reports that Iran and Syria planned to run for open seats on the council’s 47-member body.
The General Assembly’s annual elections for the Geneva-based Human Rights Council will be held later this year in New York.
“Countries that murder and torture their own people must not be allowed to become the world’s judges on human rights,” said Hillel Neuer, the head of UN Watch, a Geneva-based advocacy group that monitors the work of the United Nations. — jta