United Nations: Sri Lanka, under fire for poor human rights record, lost its bid today for a sit on the UN Human Rights Council while Pakistan, Japan, Bahrain and South Korea were elected to the Geneva-based body from Asian group in a hotly contested election.

The four countries will start a three-year term on June 15. Six contestants from Asia had fought for four seats from the region.

Japan got highest number of 155 votes in the 192-member General Assembly while Pakistan just managed to receive 114 votes to become a member of the council. Bahrain got 142 votes followed by South Korea with 130.

East Timor, which also contested, could manage only 92 votes.

Human rights groups had launched a major campaign against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, contending that they should not be on the 47-member Council as their human rights records were poor.

Britain and France were elected from west European group. Spain, which also contested for the a seat lost its bid.

One-third of the Council members retire each year. India was elected to the council last year and is due to retire in 2010.

In the Asian group, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Bahrain, East Timor and Sri Lanka were in contention for the seats held by Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka.

Source : PTI