US vows to attack 'flaws' in UN Human Rights Council
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Buy SPH photosUNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United States on Monday won a new term on the UN Human Rights Council and vowed to renew its campaign to put right "flaws" in the controversial body.
The United States was one of 18 countries to win places on the 47-member council from January 1. But rights groups condemned the election at the UN General Assembly because only western nations held an open race for their three seats.
Venezuela and Pakistan, whose rights records have been criticized by activists and governments, secured more votes than the United States, Germany and Ireland which were elected for western nations.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it had been a "highly competitive race," acknowledging predictions by some diplomats that the United States risked losing in the election because it had entered so late.
