BBC News Online: World: Americas

US thrown off UN rights body

It is the first time the US will not be a member of the 53-nation Human Rights Commission since it was set up in 1947.

In a surprise result, France, Austria and Sweden were elected to the three seats allocated to Western countries on the Geneva-based body.

All but one of the 54 members of the UN's Economic and Social Council - which elects the commission - took part in the ballot.

France received 52 votes, Austria 41, Sweden 32 and the US 29.

Resentment

Joanna Weschler, the UN representative of Human Rights Watch, told Reuters news agency that many countries resented the poor US voting record on issues like land mines and the availability of Aids drugs.

Washington has also regularly criticised the human rights record of other nations - like China and Cuba, which may have helped erode support for its cause.

One diplomat at the UN, however, said the result was a surprise given America's arm-twisting power.

The US, meanwhile, expressed disappointment at the outcome of the vote.

But its acting ambassador at the UN in Geneva, James Cunningham, refused to comment on why members might have opposed US re-election.

"It won't of course affect our commitment to human rights issues, in and outside of the United Nations," Mr Cunningham said.