In a quiet but contentious campaign, countries are competing for new openings on the United Nation's Human Rights Council. Many of the contenders for membership on the Geneva-based body include a political Who's Who of authoritarian regimes that are noteworthy abusers of the very human rights they would be slated to protect.
Recalling the adage of the fox guarding the chicken coop, among the states competing for places include Cuba, China, Egypt, Russia, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. These states, if elected, would be expected to "uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights" in the international arena.
As is the custom in such international forums, countries vie for places in regional groupings.
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