
In the article, Havel noted that both Azerbaijan and Russia are up for re-election to the Council, however these countries have poor human rights records.
According to Havel, when the council was formed, only countries that “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights” were eligible to be members. “Now, it seems, principle has given way to expediency,” wrote Havel. “Governments have resumed trading votes for membership in various other United Nations bodies, putting political considerations ahead of human rights. […] Like the citizens of Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia, I know what it is like to live in a country where the state controls public discourse, suppresses opposition and severely curtails freedom of expression.”
Havel noted that activists from both Russia and Azerbaijan have appealed to the international community requesting that these countries not be elected to the Council.
The op-ed can be viewed here:
According to Havel, when the council was formed, only countries that “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights” were eligible to be members. “Now, it seems, principle has given way to expediency,” wrote Havel. “Governments have resumed trading votes for membership in various other United Nations bodies, putting political considerations ahead of human rights. […] Like the citizens of Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Russia and Saudi Arabia, I know what it is like to live in a country where the state controls public discourse, suppresses opposition and severely curtails freedom of expression.”
Havel noted that activists from both Russia and Azerbaijan have appealed to the international community requesting that these countries not be elected to the Council.
The op-ed can be viewed here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/opinion/11havel.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Vaclav&st=Search