UN Human Rights Council makes its debut

The United Nations inaugurated its new Human Rights Council on Monday, promising the new body would be more effective in preventing human rights abuses than the Human Rights Commission it replaces.

"The eyes of the world, especially the eyes of those whose human rights are denied, threatened or infringed, are turned towards this chamber and this council," Secretary General Kofi Annan told the 47-member council in Geneva, Switzerland.

"This council represents a great new chance for the United Nations and for humanity, to renew the struggle for human rights. I implore you, do not let the opportunity be squandered."

In March, Canada was one of 170 nations that voted to create the new human rights body to replace the 60-year-old UN Human Rights Commission.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay is in Geneva for the council's first meeting. The session runs to June 30.

MacKay has pledged that Canada would work with other countries to ensure the council has the resources to be effective.

The previous commission was criticized for protecting countries with poor human rights records, and was often marked by confrontation.

"Never allow this council to become caught up in political point-scoring or petty manoeuvre," Annan said. "Think always of those whose rights are denied."

The 47 members of the council were elected by the UN General Assembly. The United States declined to stand for membership, while others such as Sudan, Venezuela and Iran failed to win a seat.

Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Pakistan and China were elected to the council despite objections.

In the new system, the rights records of all council members will be periodically reviewed.

The council will meet at least three times a year.