FM terms Pakistan's re-election to UNHRC as important diplomatic achievement
The 193-member UN General Assembly held elections for 15 new members
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed Pakistan’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as an important diplomatic achievement.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said Pakistan was supported by every region in its election to the human rights council. He said influential and important countries also backed Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister said this vote also shows Pakistan’s performance in the human rights council over the last three years. He said the world today is recognizing Pakistan’s role.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said human rights violations has increased in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and becoming part of the human rights council at this critical time is a big achievement.
Pakistan was on Tuesday re-elected to the United Nations’ top human rights body for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2021, with a big vote of 169 in the Asia-Pacific group.
The 193-member UN General Assembly held elections for 15 new members to the 47-member Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.
This is the fifth time Pakistan has been elected to the Council — the first success came in 2006 when the Council was created by the UN General Assembly. Pakistan polled 169 votes, when 97 were needed.
The election in the General Assembly was by secret ballot, with a simple majority required.
The contest was only in the Asian-Pacific group. Other groups put up agreed candidates: Five candidates contested for the four Asia-Pacific seats on the Council. Apart from Pakistan, China, Nepal and Uzbekistan were elected. Saudi Arabia, with 90 votes, could not make it.
Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
The Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.
The Council’s membership is based on equitable geographical distribution and seats are distributed as follows: 13 seats for African States, 13 seats for Asia Pacific States, 8 seats for Latin American and Caribbean States, 7 seats for Western European and other States, and 6 seats for Eastern European States.
