DHAKA: China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Vietnam have been elected to the UN`s human rights watchdog, despite concerns about their rights records.

Campaign groups have condemned the election of the countries to the 47-seat Human Rights Council.

Human Rights Watch said some new members had denied access to UN monitors investigating alleged abuses.

The UN General Assembly elected a total of 14 new members to the Geneva-based council on Tuesday.

China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Algeria and Cuba won seats unopposed, but human rights groups have complained that they are the countries that the body should be censuring, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1335 HRS, NOV 13, 2013
RoR/BSK