Libyan Is Elected Chief of Human Rights at U.N.

The United Nations’ human rights watchdog group elected a Libyan diplomat Monday as this year’s president, overriding objections from the United States that the North African country’s “horrible” record disqualifies it for such a post.

Riding a wave of African solidarity, Najat Hajjaji received votes from 33 countries in her bid to head the 53-member U.N. Human Rights Commission for its annual session starting in March. The United States and two other nations voted against her, and 17 countries abstained.

“It is especially sad today when America celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, a champion of human rights, that a nation which flaunts human rights abuses would be elected chair,” U.S. Ambassador Kevin E. Moley told reporters. “It is not appropriate for a nation under U.N. sanctions ... to be chairman of this commission.”

Libya is still not fully free of U.N. sanctions imposed after its suspected role in the bombing of an airliner over Scotland in 1988.

To oppose the nomination, the U.S. had to break with the half-century U.N. tradition of sharing such jobs on a rotating basis among regional groups. Whereas previously each group’s choice was accepted by acclamation, the U.S. insisted Monday on a vote.