Irish human rights council election

Sir, – Surely the Tánaiste overstates it when he says that Ireland’s election to the UN Human Rights Council is “a major endorsement…

Sir, – Surely the Tánaiste overstates it when he says that Ireland’s election to the UN Human Rights Council is “a major endorsement” of Ireland’s international standing and that “This is a great day for Ireland and for the values which are dear to us” (Front page, November 13th).

Considering the current membership includes the Russian Federation, China, Libya, Kuwait, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Venezuela this is hardly the sort of ringing endorsement that should fill us with pride.

In celebrating this “great day” should we disregard both Mary Robinson and UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of the council for prioritising political considerations above human rights in their deliberations and actions? – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL ANDERSON,

Moyclare Close,

Baldoyle, Dublin 13.