Saudi Arabia recently faced a setback in its attempt to secure a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a significant blow to its ongoing efforts to improve its global reputation on human rights. This development follows the kingdom’s previous unsuccessful bid for the 47-member body in 2020.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has poured billions into transforming the country’s image, shifting it from one historically associated with strict religious limitations and human rights violations to a more favorable perception as a global tourism and entertainment hub, an initiative known as Vision 2030.

The members of the Human Rights Council are elected by the UN General Assembly, which consists of 193 member states. The election process utilizes a secret ballot that divides votes into geographical groups to ensure fair representation. In the latest elections, the Asia-Pacific group witnessed a competitive environment, with six candidates vying for five available seats. Unfortunately for Saudi Arabia, the kingdom garnered only 117 votes.

Human rights advocates have voiced concerns that electing Saudi Arabia to the council would undermine efforts to advocate for justice regarding human rights abuses and would feel like a “slap in the face” to many victims of the regime. In March, the appointment of Saudi Arabia to chair a UN commission aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment was met with disappointment from numerous activists.

Before the vote, Louis Charbonneau, the UN director for Human Rights Watch, publicly condemned Saudi Arabia as “unfit to serve on the Human Rights Council.” He cited serious allegations against the kingdom, including reports of the killings of hundreds of Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross from Yemen between 2022 and 2023, which some critics contend could constitute a crime against humanity, along with the unresolved murder case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

“Governments that commit crimes against humanity or similar atrocities, and that allow impunity for those responsible, should not be rewarded with seats on the UN’s top human rights body,” Charbonneau emphasized.

In response to last year’s accusations, Saudi Arabia’s mission to the UN in Geneva firmly rejected claims of “systematic” killings at the border, asserting that Khashoggi’s murder was the act of a rogue group acting independently.

While the Human Rights Council does not possess legally binding authority, its proceedings attract significant attention and can prompt investigations into documented abuses, sometimes paving the way for war crimes prosecutions. Established in 2006 to replace a discredited human rights commission, the council has quickly encountered similar issues, with concerns that some states seek positions primarily to evade scrutiny.

In this recent election, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Iceland, Spain, and Switzerland were elected, while Benin, The Gambia, and Qatar secured reelection for a second three-year term. Council members are limited to two consecutive terms.

The newly elected members will begin their terms in 2025.