Azerbaijans joining a confirmation of high level of human rights protection in our country and its role in UN and its programs, reportedly said Elmira Suleymanova, Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, commenting election of Azerbaijan to this Council.
Suleymanova said in 1992 Azerbaijan joined the UN and 2001 The Council of Europe. Throughout its independence, Azeri government has conducted both economic and social reforms and reforms in legal sphere, she said. This achievement, she added, will boost human rights protection in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan, alongside Russia and Ukraine, was elected to UN Human Rights Council as a result of repeat voting held in general Assembly Tuesday. Azerbaijan was selected by 103 delegations, Ukraine by 109 and Russia by 137 at minimum of 96 votes.
The new agency represents all the regions of the world. Among Asian countries are India, Indonesia, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Japan. Africa is represented by Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa. Countries of Latin America are Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba. Western Europe is represented by Germany, France, UK, Switzerland, Finland and Eastern Poland, Checz Republic, Romania and Hungary. During the voting 24 countries, including Egypt, Kenya, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Columbia, Portugal, Greece and Spain, failed to enter the Council.
The decision on establishment of the Council instead of dismissed Human Rights Commission was made in September 2005 at the Summit-2005. Its work, delegates considered, was excessively politicized and not meeting the tasks in human rights protection.
First session of the Council will be held in Geneva June 19, 2006, ITAR-TASS reports.