Saudi Arabia Fails in Bid for UN Human Rights Council Seat

The kingdom's attempt to join the council was thwarted amid international criticism of its human rights record.

Saudi Arabia received 117 votes, falling short in the Asia-Pacific group's competitive race for five seats.
Rights groups campaigned against Saudi Arabia's bid, citing alleged abuses and lack of accountability for past violations.
Ethiopia and Qatar were among the countries elected, despite concerns about their human rights records.
Saudi Arabia's rejection follows a previous unsuccessful bid in 2020 to join the 47-member council.
The Human Rights Council, while not legally binding, plays a critical role in scrutinizing and documenting rights abuses globally.