China and Russia were elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, drawing criticism from rights groups over their human rights records. Saudi Arabia lost its bid for a seat. Rights groups opposed its candidacy, saying that it targets human rights defenders and dissidents.

The 193-member UN General Assembly also elected Ivory Coast, Gabon, Malawi, Cuba, Bolivia, Uzbekistan, France and Britain to the 47-member council. Senegal, Nepal, Pakistan, Ukraine and Mexico were re-elected for a second three-year term.

China has been repeatedly condemned for a number of human rights violations including its treatment of Uighur Muslims in the country’s Xinjiang region, and its handling of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Rights groups also criticise Russia for possible war crimes and repression of dissent at home.

Last week, human rights groups from Europe, the US and Canada called on UN member states to oppose the election of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying that their human rights records make them “unqualified”.

“Saudi Arabia’s failure to win a seat on the Human Rights Council is a welcome reminder of the need for more competition in UN elections. Had there been additional candidates, China, Cuba and Russia might have lost too”, said Human Rights Watch UN director Louis Charbonneau.

Council members cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. Candidates are elected secretly. The new members will begin their term on January 1 next year.