(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s election of members of the United Nations Human Rights Council.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“The UN Human Rights Council once again illustrates the abyss and hypocrisy at the center of the UN’s human rights system by previously allowing Cuba and now Venezuela to have a seat on the Council.

“The Obama Administration’s policy of engagement has failed to reform the United Nations, including the Council, which continues to be dominated by oppressive regimes.  After yesterday’s election, Venezuela, led by the oppressive Hugo Chavez regime, is joining the Council along with other human rights abusers.  The fact that Chavez’s tyrannical regime received more votes for the Council than the United States is a cause for considerable alarm.

“Without substantive requirements for membership and other fundamental reforms, the Council will remain stacked against the protection of human rights.  Continuing U.S. membership at the Council grants legitimacy to this illegitimate, shameful body.  The U.S. should withdraw from the Council and put its energy toward developing alternative forums in which responsible nations can advance the cause of human rights worldwide.”