The United Nations Human Rights Council selected Saudi Arabia to serve as chair of a panel of independent experts, independent campaigning NGO UN Watch revealed after obtaining UN documents dated 17 September. The panel, now headed by Saudi ambassador Faisal Trad and comprised of five diplomats, is charged with selecting mandate holders to serve in over 70 positions worldwide. This appointment outraged many, including UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer, who said, “It is scandalous that the UN chose a country that has beheaded more people this year than ISIS to be head of a key human rights panel.” Picture worth a thousand words. Art by @hervebaudry. Report by @UNWatch: http://t.co/SDK6jt5DgG pic.twitter.com/W1Z9PwLQru — Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 21, 2015 Neuer also suggested that the appointment is in exchange for Saudi Arabia withdrawing its bid to head the entire council after the kingdom’s human rights record was heavily condemned. Both the kingdom’s withdrawal and its appointment as chair of the panel occurred in June. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly been under fire for its human rights violations, including laws that ban women from driving without a male family member. Earlier this year,…
UN Sparks Outrage After Saudi Ambassador Chosen to Chair Human Rights Panel
September 21, 2015
