WHO welcomes Syria, Belarus to executive board

The World Health Organization has been making some questionable moves lately, pushing out Taiwan at China's request while elevating Syria and Belarus to a place of power and privilege.

A recent video of the vote showed no objections to welcoming Syria's Minister of Health Hassan Mohammed Al Ghabash to the WHO executive board, which sets the organization's agenda and implements its policies. The U.K. had sanctioned al Ghabash for sharing responsibility "for the Syrian regime's violent repression against the civilian population."

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko created his own firestorm last month when he diverted the Ryanair flight of Roman Protasevich. The 26-year-old journalist was a staunch critic of Lukashenko and was arrested.

Belarus also announced earlier this week that it would prevent most of its citizens from leaving the country. The government claimed the move was related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but others insisted it was part of a crackdown against Lukashenko's critics.

The State Department told Fox News it has "grave concerns" about the election of Syria and Belarus to three-year terms with the WHO.

"Members of the Executive Board each have the duty to advance public health and are expected to uphold universal values and human rights," the spokesperson said. "This includes providing unimpeded access for delivery of life-saving humanitarian supplies, including medical supplies regardless of where beneficiaries reside. We do not believe the actions of either Syria or Belarus demonstrate this."

The executive board is comprised of 34 member states.

The United States is not a member of the executive board.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/who-welcomes-syria-belarus-to-executive-board