Abusive governments are expected to secure seats on the Rights Council.

Egypt and Vietnam are set to secure seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council despite concerns raised by Human Rights Watch. The UN General Assembly will be voting on October 14, 2025 to elect members to the council for the next three years.

Both countries are among the 14 member states vying for three-year terms on the 47-nation council starting in January 2026. Vietnam, who is currently a member, is seeking re-election.

Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, expressed concern over the noncompetitive nature of the vote, stating that it allows abusive governments to become council members and undermines the credibility of the council. He urged UN member states to stop giving council seats to countries with a history of human rights violations.

As per General Assembly Resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council in 2006, states voting for members are urged to consider the candidate’s contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. Council members are also required to uphold the highest standards in promoting and protecting human rights both domestically and internationally, and to fully cooperate with the council.

However, with only a simple majority needed to secure a seat, it is highly unlikely that any of the candidates will not be elected. Human Rights Watch called on UN member states to be mindful of casting their votes for abusive governments that are not qualified for council membership.

The Egyptian government, led by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has been criticized for its continued repression and systematic detention and punishment of peaceful critics and activists. The government also faces accusations of widespread and systematic torture, which may constitute crimes against humanity. Furthermore, the government has been accused of preventing its citizens from engaging with the council and punishing those who do. Egypt has also ignored requests from UN experts to visit the country.

Meanwhile, Vietnam, led by the ruling Communist Party, maintains a monopoly on political power and severely restricts basic rights such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and religion. Human rights activists and bloggers face intimidation, harassment, restricted movement, and arbitrary arrest and detention.

Mauritius and the UK, who are among the countries running, have signed a treaty recognizing Mauritius’ sovereignty over the Chagos Islands but have failed to address the ongoing crimes against humanity against Chagossians and their right of return. The UK forcibly displaced the Chagossian people between 1965 and 1973 to allow the US to build a military base. Human Rights Watch called on both countries to comply with their international rights obligations and provide an effective remedy and reparations to the Chagossian people.

Human Rights Watch also raised concerns over the candidacy of Angola and South Africa, who are running for four African seats. While Angolan President João Lourenço has pledged to protect human rights, security forces have been accused of using excessive force against political activists and peaceful protesters. Similarly, South Africa has taken strong stances for accountability on Palestine and other issues, but Human Rights Watch urged the country to be similarly robust in addressing rights violations by Russia and China.

In the race for the four Asian seats, India, Iraq, and Pakistan have come under scrutiny. The Bharatiya Janata Party government in India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has refused access to UN experts. Additionally, Modi’s party leaders and supporters have been accused of vilifying and attacking Muslims and Christians with impunity, while the authorities punish those who protest against these actions. Pakistan has also been urged to cease using draconian counterterrorism and sedition laws to intimidate peaceful critics and repeal its blasphemy laws. The government has also been called upon to prosecute those responsible for incitement and attacks on minorities and marginalized communities.

Iraq, who passed a law criminalizing same-sex relations and transgender expression in 2024, has also come under scrutiny. Human Rights Watch highlighted the rampant violence and discrimination against the LGBT+ community in Iraq, for which no one is held accountable. The organization also raised concerns over the increasing repression of activists and journalists in the country.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile and Ecuador are running for two seats, with Chile playing a leading role in speaking out against human rights violations around the world. However, Human Rights Watch pointed out that the country still faces human rights challenges, including racism and abuses against migrants.

In Europe, Italy and the United Kingdom are running for two available seats, while Estonia and Slovenia are candidates for two seats for Central and Eastern Europe. The UK has faced criticism for its crackdown on freedom of assembly, with peaceful protesters in support of Palestinians or action on climate change being arrested and imprisoned. Meanwhile, Italy has been urged to stop criminalizing and obstructing sea rescues and enabling Libyan forces to intercept migrants and refugees, who are then subjected to arbitrary detention and grave abuses. Additionally, Italy failed to comply with a 2025 International Criminal Court arrest warrant by sending a wanted suspect back to Libya instead of to The Hague.

Human Rights