UK and Saudi Arabia 'in secret deal' over human rights council place

Leaked documents suggest vote-trading deal was conducted to both nations to secure a seat at UN's influential body.

 Communications between the UK and Saudi Arabia seem to indicate that they traded votes for each other to be on the Human Rights Council, which ordinarily wouldn't be a huge problem if not for the fact that Saudi Arabia is really good at having really bad human rights. Aside from the recent reports of a Shia activist, Ali Mohammed al-nimr, being charged with protesting his government, which may result in his crucifixion, it is also likely that the kingdom has sanctioned more than 100 beheadings. Those numbers rival ISIS in terms of human rights violations.

When one considers the criteria that make suitable Human Rights Council candidates, like say countries with outstanding human rights records, it is strange that the UK needed help from Saudi Arabia to be on this council. Personally I don't think this vote trading is the real goal, because whether this was leaked or not, do you really think Britain needed to deal with a literal devil to get this seat? No one else was willing to help vote for Britain? Instead its possible the back scratching that Saudi Arabia is doing in return is not clear yet, and possibly won't be, because conspiracies and reasons.

It is worth noting that the UN replaced the HRC almost 10 years ago because countries with poor human rights records somehow found their way onto it. Perhaps they see the human rights council like the US presidency, change it up every few years, see what happens! It's a barrel full of laughs when you invite the unorthodox human rights advocate heavy hitters like Iran and Syria who would also be 100% viable candidates for this council.

Before I go too far off the rails it would be best to return to the topic at hand. This news comes at an inconvenient time for Saudi Arabia because other instances of human rights violations that they brought to America have surfaced in the time between their election in 2013 and today. Two of these Articles are also linked below, you don't even need to read past the link to understand the full gravity of Britain's trade. In an ideal world, only the good guys get put on the Human Rights Council, in our world I hope Britain was properly compensated for harming both their reputation and the reputation of the Human Rights Council.  


 
Stuart Young

 Main Article:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/29/uk-and-saudi-arabia-in-secret-deal-over-human-rights-council-place


Just read the Link:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Saudi-Prince-Arrested-Beverly-Hills-Allegedly-Sexually-Assaulting-Employee-329433451.html

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/saudi-princess-released-5m-bail-human-trafficking-charge/story?id=19648159