A coalition of human rights organizations on Wednesday called on United Nations member states to refrain from voting for Saudi Arabia in the upcoming Human Rights Council election, scheduled for October 9.
The joint appeal was led by groups such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the International Service for Human Rights. They have cited Saudi Arabia’s ongoing record of human rights violations as grounds for rejecting its candidacy for the Council.
The statement provided multiple examples of alleged human rights violations and international crimes committed by Saudi Arabia. Recent reports have accused Saudi forces of mass killings along its border with Yemen, where migrants and asylum seekers have been shot. These accusations are further compounded by the kingdom’s continued use of the death penalty, which has included the execution of individuals who were minors at the time of their alleged offenses. Moreover, allegations that women’s rights campaigners were subjected to travel bans also feature prominently in their appeal. The lack of accountability for Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman following his alleged approval of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to a US intelligence assessment, adds to the concerns.
Critics argue Saudi Arabia fails to meet the criteria set by UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council. This resolution stipulates that member states must consider a candidate’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights when voting. Moreover, it requires Council members to fully cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms, something Saudi Arabia has allegedly failed to do by consistently refusing to allow country visits by UN special procedures in an effort to isolate itself from international scrutiny. Allowing Saudi Arabia to secure a seat on the Human Rights Council, they contend, would undermine the standards expected of UN council members and the credibility of the worldwide governance institution.
HRW similarly urged the UN General Assembly members to avoid voting for Saudi Arabia and China in the previous election. Despite these calls, China was ultimately elected to the Human Rights Council in 2023.
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