The General Assembly resolution that established the Human Rights Council in 2006 does not contain any reference to possible withdrawals by members of the council, said Brenden Varma, the spokesman.

 

But the resolution provides for geographic distribution of the 47 members of the council, he said. Therefore, the vacancy left by the United States will have to be filled through election in the General Assembly of a candidate from the Western European and others group, he said.

 

As the United States is the first member to withdraw from the Human Rights Council, there is no past practice in terms of procedures for withdrawal or for replacement, said Varma. "Now we are looking into possible next steps."

 

But as the first step, he said, the General Assembly is still waiting for the official notification of the United States on its withdrawal.

 

On reports of Russia putting itself forward for candidature, Varma said the country does not qualify as it is not from the Western European and others regional group.

 

Notification of candidature would normally go to the UN Secretariat, before the General Assembly president can decide on an election. There is no timeframe for such an election, said Varma.

 

It remains unclear where a replacement will be determined as the current session of the General Assembly is wrapping up its business.

 

The members of the UN Human Rights Council are elected each year in the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.