Democracies Scrutinized as Iran, China, and Cuba Take Key UN Rights Roles
UN Watch denounces democratic states for backing Iran’s nomination to the UN’s Committee for Program and Coordination and for the acclamation of China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan to the Committee on NGOs, which oversees civil-society access and rights groups. With the US the only member to object, the group warns dictatorships would gain a majority over human-rights work, potentially blocking dissidents and accrediting front groups. Activists had warned of such outcomes, but Western democracies have not acted to block these elections and are urged to explain their votes.
