ABC Radio National

Sri Lanka, ETimor denied UN human rights seat

Updated 8 hours 22 minutes ago

Sri Lanka and East Timor have each been denied a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

Nineteen countries vied for 15 coveted seats, with the focus on the contests in the Asian and West European groups.

In the Asian group, Japan, Bahrain, South Korea and Pakistan were elected to the Council.

Human Rights Watch says the defeat of Sri Lanka is a very important signal, given its poor human rights record.

Under council regulations, candidates are evaluated on the political rights, civil liberties and freedom of the press in their countries, as well as their approach to promoting human rights at the UN.