UNHRC Awards Seats To China, Russia And Cuba; Refuses Saudi Arabia

China, Russia and Cuba on October 13 secured places in the UN's Human Rights Council (UNHRC) while Saudi Arabia was denied membership. However, various human rights groups have opposed the countries elected. Reportedly, Saudi's failure to make it to the UNHRC is attributed to state-sponsored abuses and killings of activists including murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Russia's membership was opposed owing to its military operations in Syria.