Kathmandu, Oct 14: Nepal has been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term.
In the election held on Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Nepal received 173 out of 180 votes cast in the UN General Assembly, gaining the highest number of votes among the countries elected from the Asia-Pacific regional group.
Nepal's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York issued a statement after the election, thanking all UN member states for their trust and support to Nepal.
We sincerely thank all member states of the United Nations for expressing trust and confidence in Nepal's commitment to a rule-based international order centered on multilateralism, human rights, international law, and the United Nations, the mission's statement said.
The Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN has also congratulated the other nations elected for a new term on the Council.
Nepal has congratulated Brazil, Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Moldova, Nigeria, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Zambia for being elected for the 2027–2029 term.
The Mission has stated that Nepal is committed to closely working with United Nations member states and other partners to protect human dignity, promote inclusion, social justice, and advance equal and fair development for all.
Nepal has already been a council member for two consecutive terms, from 2018–2020 and 2021–2023. With the new election, Nepal will serve as a council member for the third term starting January 1, 2027.
The United Nations Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is the main intergovernmental body of the UN that works to protect and promote human rights.
The council based in Geneva, Switzerland, has 47 member countries based on geographical representation. There is a provision that member countries are elected from the United Nations General Assembly for three years.
The council has been reviewing the human rights situation in member countries, discussing issues related to human rights violations, making necessary recommendations, and promoting international cooperation for the protection and promotion of human rights.
The organization has also been assessing the human rights situation of all member countries through a universal periodic review process.
Nepal's election to the UN Human Rights Council has provided an opportunity to further strengthen Nepal's representation in the international human rights forum.
As a member of the council, Nepal will be able to contribute to multilateral dialogue and cooperation on human rights, human dignity, equality, inclusiveness, social justice, and respect for international law.
Along with this membership, Nepal will also have the responsibility to implement international commitments related to human rights, protect basic freedoms, and put into practice Nepal's commitment to the universal values of human rights. (RSS)
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