The U.N. Human Rights Commission, from which America was disbarred last year, has elected a Libyan diplomat as its president, after being nominated by the African Regional Group. In a secret ballot, 33 countries voted for Libyan Ambassador Najat Al-Hajjaji. Just three opposed her election while 17 abstained, including European countries.
The United States voiced strong objections, citing Libya’s poor record on civil liberties and its alleged role in sponsoring terrorism, including the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. Israel is not a commission member, but Ya’akov Levy, the country’s ambassador to U.N. offices in Geneva, condemned the election.
Human rights NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, have been leading a campaign against the Libyan nomination since the summer.
This is the first time the selection by a regional grouping has been challenged. The commission will begin its annual session in March 2003 for a six-week-long meeting, which examines human rights abuses around the world.
The new U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello made it plain that he respected the nomination of Libya.
Al-Hajjaji previously held the post of vice president, and Western diplomats said there were no problems with her impartiality.
The United States will take its seat again at this year’s meeting, having been excluded last year.