Fiji has been successful in its campaign for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
Delegates speaks prior to the opening of a session of the Human Rights Council on the Palestinian territories situation on March 23, 2015 in Geneva. Photo: AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI
It is one of 18 countries elected to the council, which is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights, for a three-year term from 2019 to 2021.
Human rights groups evaluating each candidate said Fiji was among the countries whose candidacies were "questionable," with a problematic human rights record.
Other candidates criticised include the Philippines, Eritrea, Bahrain and Cameroon - all these countries also gained a seat.
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had earlier said his country's robust constitution and long experience in peacekeeping would add value to the council.
