Morocco to lead UN Human Rights Council despite South Africa’s disapproval
Al Jazeera
Secret vote held after 13 African members could not agree on a candidate, as some criticise Rabat’s rights record.
Morocco has won a vote to lead the United Nations Human Rights Council despite protests from South Africa that Rabat’s human rights record mean it is unfit to lead the council.
In a vote in Geneva on Wednesday, Morocco’s Ambassador Omar Zniber was elected council president after he received 30 votes, while his South African opponent, Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, secured 17.
It was Africa’s turn to take the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council, but because African nations could not agree on a candidate from among the 13 members, a secret ballot was conducted.
Following his success, Zniber said the council’s work was “so important and so fundamental: the promotion of, respect toward and guarantee of human rights as universally recognised”, according to a statement from the body.
Morocco also said it “sees a strong signal sent by the international community in favour of its constructive approach, and its unifying leadership on key subjects such as inter-religious dialogue, tolerance and the fight against racial hatred, the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, migrants’ rights and the impact of new technologies”.
