Kathmandu, 14 October (H.S.):

Nepal has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027–2029 term, securing 173 out of the 180 votes cast in the election held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Nepal received the highest number of votes among the countries elected from the Asia-Pacific regional group.

Following the election, Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York issued a statement expressing gratitude to all UN member states for their confidence and support.

“We express our sincere gratitude to all United Nations member states for their confidence in Nepal’s commitment to multilateralism, human rights, international law and a rules-based international order with the United Nations at its centre,” the mission said.

Nepal also congratulated the other countries elected to the Human Rights Council for the upcoming term. These include Brazil, Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Moldova, Nigeria, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia.

Nepal’s Permanent Mission stated that the country remained committed to working closely with UN member states and other partners to protect human dignity, promote inclusivity, advance social justice and ensure equitable and inclusive development for all.

Nepal previously served two consecutive terms on the United Nations Human Rights Council, from 2018 to 2020 and from 2021 to 2023. With its latest election, Nepal will become a member of the council for the third time, beginning on January 1, 2027.

Established in 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Council is the UN’s principal intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms, with seats allocated according to geographical representation.

The council reviews the human rights situations in member states, discusses issues relating to human rights violations and issues recommendations where necessary. It also encourages international cooperation to promote and protect human rights. Through its Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the council assesses the human rights records of all UN member states.

Nepal’s election provides an opportunity to strengthen the country’s representation on the international human rights platform. As a council member, Nepal will be able to contribute to multilateral dialogue and cooperation on issues concerning human rights, human dignity, equality, inclusivity, social justice and respect for international law.

However, membership also places a responsibility on Nepal to implement its international human rights commitments, safeguard fundamental freedoms and translate its stated commitment to universal human rights standards into concrete action.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar