President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to use Zambia’s seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights at home, bring the Council closer to citizens and amplify the voices of developing countries.
Zambia was elected to the Council on October 13, 2026, securing 177 of the 181 valid ballots cast, the highest number of votes received by any candidate in this year’s election.
In a statement issued by State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, Hichilema thanked United Nations member states for their overwhelming support, describing the election as a significant responsibility for Zambia.
He said the election marked Zambia’s return to the Council for the first time since 2011. The country previously served as a founding member in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 under late President Levy Mwanawasa.
“The world has sent Zambia to the Human Rights Council with the strongest endorsement it gave anyone this year. Zambia will treat that endorsement as a crucial responsibility,” Hichilema said.
He said Zambia’s return to the Council in Geneva came two months after Zambians renewed their democratic mandate through peaceful elections, adding that the country would be judged by its human rights record at home and its representation of Africa and the developing world.
“The measure of membership will be what Zambians experience at home and how faithfully the country speaks for Africa and the developing world in Geneva,” the President said.
Hichilema cited the abolition of the death penalty, repeal of the offence of defaming the President, enactment of the Access to Information Act and continued engagement with the Council’s independent experts as examples of Zambia’s progress on human rights.
He pledged to use the three-year membership to strengthen human rights protections and ensure that the concerns of developing countries received greater attention.
Read More: Zambia elected to UN Human Rights Council for 2027–2029 term
“We will use our seat to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights at home, to bring the Council closer to citizens, and to give developing countries a stronger voice in its work,” Hichilema said.
He said Zambia would prioritise the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups while advancing the right to development.
“We will champion the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups, advance the right to development, and press for a Council that builds consensus,” he said.
Hichilema added that Zambia would advocate for a more responsive and consensus-driven Council.
He thanked Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chola Milambo, and the team that led the country’s campaign.
Zambia’s three-year term on the 47-member Human Rights Council begins on January 1, 2027.
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