The full UN body today suspended Libya from the UN Human Rights Council, the world’s foremost human rights body, for carrying out “gross and systematic violations of human rights,” the Associated Press reported. It marked the first time a country has been suspended from the council since its inception in 2006.
Libya’s representatives to the council last week renounced Qaddafi’s government and expressed full support for suspending Libya. The council has long been criticized for even including Libya, one of seven member countries accused of human rights violations. A lack of competition for seats on the council means that the UN has had little choice but to approve membership, according to Human Rights Watch.
