U.S. Gets First Seat on U.N. Human Rights Council

By: Blayne Sim

The United States has been voted onto the U.N. Human Rights Council. During the Bush administration, the government had boycotted this council because of their harsh criticism of Israel, an ally of the U.S. But with President Obama stating that being on this board was a goal of his, this was foreseeable. Four other countries were also given positions. All of these countries have been accused of serious human rights crimes as well. They are Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba. Hopefully, this is a step towards peace for all of these countries together. By sharing common bonds with other countries, states are less likely to engage in conflict with one another. Hopefully this will bring them together as well as bring human rights crimes around the world to justice.