The likely election of Libya to a key United Nations post on Monday will put a spotlight on its human rights record and on efforts by abusive governments to undermine the international human rights system, Human Rights Watch said today.

Libya looks certain to be elected chairman of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, the world's top human rights forum whose annual six-week session will take place in Geneva in March and April. The Africa regional group has nominated Libya to chair the commission on a rotational basis. Some governments, including the United States, have opposed Libya's nomination and may call for a vote to signal their indignation, but no alternative candidate is likely to emerge by January 20, when the commission holds its preparatory meeting in Geneva.

The commission, which "names and shames" abusive governments, has grown more timid in recent years as countries with poor human rights records have vied to become members so they can block their own censure.

"Libya's election poses a real test for the commission," said Joanna Weschler, U.N. representative of Human Rights Watch. "Repressive governments must not be allowed to hijack the U.N. human rights system."

Weschler urged that countries seeking election to the commission should meet the following minimum criteria:

• ratify the main human rights treaties,
  
• fulfill obligations to provide reports on their compliance with conventions already ratified,
  
• issue a standing invitation to U.N. investigators, and
  
• not have been condemned by the commission in the recent past.