Kenya elected to UN Human Rights Council

Kenya was elected on Monday to one of the coveted seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

There was no expressed opposition to Kenya in the 193-nation General Assembly, which decides the make-up of the 47-member council.

Kenya was one of five countries nominated to fill five open seats on the Geneva-based council that are reserved for African states.

Macharia Kamau, the Kenyan ambassador to the United Nations, said the affirmation "sends a signal to the world that we are committed to the human rights movement."

Kenya's membership of the council is "in keeping with the momentum built domestically around the new Constitution," Ambassador Kamau added, describing that document as "one of the most exemplary instruments of human rights on earth."

Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon and Sierra Leone were the other countries chosen for the Africa seats. The new members will serve three-year terms beginning in January.

Setting forth its credentials last month in a note to the president of the UN General Assembly, Kenya pointed to its role in mediating conflicts in East and Central Africa as well as its standing as a safe haven for refugees from many countries.

A total of 18 countries gained seats on the council on Monday, with a few of them, including Ethiopia, drawing criticisms from advocacy groups for their records on human rights.

Venezuela, Pakistan and Kazakhstan were also among the new members accused of broad failure to respect human rights.

The United States won re-election to the council in the only competition for a vacant seat.

Five countries had vied to fill three vacancies for the Western group, with Germany and Ireland joining the US as victors. Greece and Sweden lost in their bids for seats.