China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam won seats on the Human Rights Council, the U.N.’s highest rights watchdog body, upsetting independent human rights groups.
The General Assembly on Tuesday elected 14 new members to the 47-seat Geneva-based council, which can shine a spotlight on rights abuses by adopting resolutions – when it chooses to do so. It also has dozens of special monitors watching problem countries and major issues ranging from executions to drone strikes.
Get breaking National news
New York-based Human Rights Watch said five candidate nations – China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Algeria – have refused to let U.N. investigators visit to check alleged abuses.
Also elected to three-year terms were Britain and France, the Maldives, Macedonia, Cuba, Mexico, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa.
- China drops visa requirement for Canadian tourists, business visitors
- Inuit look to Greenland’s social model as Canada pursues military buildup in Arctic
- Epstein files fallout: People who’ve resigned or been fired after DOJ release
- Europe looks to boost its security, urges U.S. to ‘repair and revive trust’
-
![]()
Global Day of Action in Vancouver supporting Iranian regime change -
![]()
Rubio offers reassuring tone, one year after JD Vance blasted allies at Munich Security conference -
![]()
Global News at 6:00 Toronto: February. 13, 2026 -
![]()
Russian drone strike kills one as Ukrainian official urges Europe to “prepare yourself” for war
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.