World NGOs seek end to blocs in UN rights council

Human rights groupings around the world are calling for an end to the bloc system in the United Nations main rights forum which they say enables countries guilty of gross abuses to sit on the body. In an appeal sent to the 47 governments on the Human Rights Council, a total of 74 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also urge an end to the election of its members by regional slates and make sure that every seat is open to contest. "We call on all U.N. member states to bring vote trading arrangements and uncompetitive elections for the council to an end ... The credibility of the council and its ability to respond to human rights violations hang in the balance," the NGOs declared. Their statement, issued through the New York-based Human Rights Watch, came a month before the council, which in 2006 replaced the old and much criticized human rights commission, is due to open its autumn session in Geneva. Many diplomats and analysts say the council is effectively dominated by a bloc of developing countries with regular support from Russia, China and Cuba who all shield each other from any substantive criticism or censure.