UN Human Rights Council Faces Criticism for Including Countries Accused of Abusing Women

UN Human Rights Council Faces Criticism for Including Countries Accused of Abusing Women By Dale Jodoin Geneva The United Nations Human Rights Council is once again under fire after new members were elected to its 47 nation panel, including several countries with poor records on women’s rights and human freedoms. The Human Rights Council, created in 2006 to promote and protect global human rights, has drawn criticism for allowing nations accused of human rights violations to serve on the very body meant to stop such abuses. Critics say that some of these countries treat women like second-class citizens or worse—and yet still sit in judgment of others. “It’s hard to take the Council seriously when it includes governments that don’t even give their own women basic rights,” said one analyst. “Some of these nations lock up protesters, punish free speech, and control women’s lives in ways that would never be accepted in democracies.” Women’s Rights Concerns Several current and former Council members have been called out by international human rights groups for strict control over women. In Iran, women can be arrested for not wearing the proper head covering, or hijab. In 2022, a young woman named Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being detained by Iran’s morality police. Her death led to widespread protests, which were met with crackdowns, beatings, and arrests. In Afghanistan, where the Taliban regained power in 2021, girls have been banned from attending school beyond grade six. Women are restricted from most jobs and cannot travel without a male guardian. Many are required to wear full-body coverings in public. In Saudi Arabia, women still live under a system of male guardianship. While some laws have been relaxed in recent years, many women must still seek permission from a male relative to travel, marry, or be released from prison. Some women’s rights activists remain in detention. Other countries, such as Somalia and Sudan, have also been accused of failing to protect women from abuse, forced marriage, or harmful practices like female genital mutilation. Double Standards Accused Despite these serious concerns, several of these countries have served or continue to serve on the Council. Meanwhile, Israel continues to face repeated criticism from the body, prompting allegations of political bias. Israel is the only country that is singled out in a permanent item on the Council’s agenda. Many human rights advocates and independent observers say this focus is unfair when other member states have far worse human rights records, including state violence and systemic abuse. “Israel is a democracy,” said one human rights scholar. “People there have freedom of speech, women vote, there’s a free press. But it gets condemned more than countries where women can’t even leave the house without permission.” In contrast, China, which has been accused of detaining over a million Uyghur Muslims in internment camps, and North Korea, known for extreme censorship and widespread starvation, have received far less attention from the Council in recent years. A History of Controversy The Human Rights Council was formed to replace the earlier Commission on Human Rights, which was shut down because it had allowed notorious rights violators to serve. Now, critics say the same problems are happening again. Countries are elected to the Council by the General Assembly through regional group votes. That system has allowed nations with poor human rights records to win seats, often uncontested. In recent elections, Iran, China, Sudan, Qatar, and Venezuela have all either served or competed for seats. Some critics argue that the Council has become more political than principled. “It’s no longer about protecting people,” said a former UN official. “It’s about scoring political points and protecting allies.” What Reform Might Look Like Some diplomats and rights organizations are now calling for stricter rules on membership. Ideas include banning countries with ongoing human rights investigations, requiring open voting, or even creating a separate watchdog group to review candidates before elections. Others suggest that Council votes should be tied to actual human rights records, not just regional agreements or backroom deals. So far, no major changes have been adopted. The Human Cost While diplomats argue and policies stall, people around the world continue to suffer. Women are denied education, protesters are jailed, and entire communities are silenced. Observers warn that unless the Council is reformed, it risks losing its credibility. “The world needs a real voice for human rights,” said one analyst. “But that voice gets weaker every time a government that hurts its own people is allowed to sit at the table.”