By, Charlotte Oliver
1 min read
ByCharlotte Oliver, Charlotte Oliver
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor was chosen on Tuesday to chair elections for the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC), adding to the recent surge of Israeli involvement with the UN in Geneva and New York.
Mr Prosor was unanimously selected by 170 member countries to supervise the voting of the committee, which is elected every two years to monitor human rights around the world.
The ambassador said in a statement that it was a “great honour” to be chosen to chair the election.
He added: “The central role Israel plays to advance human rights around the world is the real answer to anyone calling for boycotts against Israel.”
Mr Prosor’s appointment follows Israel’s participation last week in a meeting of the UN human rights group JUSCANZ - the first time it has taken part since joining the regional advisory group in 2010.
The country now hopes to win a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2019-2010 – and is preparing to compete with Germany and Belgium for one of two seats given to the “Western European and Others Group”.
But these advancements were met with the news that the UN human rights investigator Richard Falk will accuse Israel of perpetrating “inhumane acts” against the Palestinians in his final report to the HRC next month.
In the report, which was leaked by the non-governmental organisation UN Watch, Mr Falk said he “provides a record of violations by Israel and its defiant attitude, and challenges the United Nations to take steps to ensure compliance.”
