As the UN General Assembly in New York prepares to hold elections for membership of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Now has added its voice to a joint letter by a collective of 35 NGOs.
Addressed to membership candidates, including Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, the letter outlines concerns that some candidates fail to comply with their responsibility to uphold the highest possible standards in promotion and protection of human rights.
The letter also reminds candidates that they must demonstrate a willingness to cooperate with UN Special Procedures and to offer protection from acts of reprisal against people who seek to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms.