US against Cuba on UNHRC seat

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International affairs; International Affairs 

About: 

  • U.S. urged UN members not to support Cuba’s bid to join the organisation’s Human Rights Council. 
  • U.S. administration described Cuba’s sale of medical services, Havana’s main source of foreign exchange, as a form of human trafficking. 

Do you know? 

  • The main criticism against HRC is that – it is made up of states not known for their human rights records. (who are outstandingly bad violators of human rights – China, Cuba and Jordan) 
  • Countries grossly violating human rights are still elected as members to the body.  
  • Cuba, which sat on the UNHRC in 2014­-2016 and 2017-­2019, has applied to fill one of the regional vacancies for 2021-­2023. 
  • The seats are distributed geographically and are awarded for a period of three years. Members are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms. 

About UNHRC 

  • UNHRC is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. 
  • It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system. 
  • It meets at the UN Office at Geneva. The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland. 
  • UNHRC was established by the UN General Assembly in 2006. It is made up of 47 member nations. 

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