Cuba lauds election to UN Human Rights Council

Cuba is celebrating its election to the UN Human Rights Council as a vindication of the Communist-run nation's principles.
Headlines in Communist Party newspaper Granma call it "a new victory for the Cuban people" and a "deserved right."
The Caribbean country was picked for the 47-seat, Geneva-based body the previous day.
The election of Cuba, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Algeria elicited some protests from outside human rights groups who said their inclusion hurts the council's credibility.
Granma defended Cuba's record on rights yesterday. It said Havana stands up for developing nations against Western powers' attempts to use the council for political ends.