Serbia could be one of the 15 new members of the UN Human Rights Council that will be chosen at today’s session of the General Assembly.

Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine are the three prospects for two seats for Eastern Europe, while Spain, France and Great Britain are the three candidates for the two seats for Western Europe.

Gabon, Ghana, Mali and Zambia are the four candidates for 4 seats for Africa, and Argentina, Brazil and Chile candidates for 3 seats for South America. The candidates for the four seats in Asia are Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and East Timor.

According to UN Human Rights Council rules, each candidate is judged on criteria such as political freedom and freedom of the press, as well as on their position on human rights issues.

Two NGOs, UN Watch and Freedom House assert that 11 candidates meet the conditions for membership, including Serbia. These non-governmental organizations, however, believe that Bahrain, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Gabon and Zambia are “not qualified” for membership, while three other candidates are doubtful—Brazil, Burkina Faso and East Timor.

The UN Human Rights Council, whose headquarters are in Geneva, has 47 member states, and took over authority for this field from a UN commission two years ago.