Pakistan’s Re-Election to the UN Human Rights Council
With an overwhelming amount of votes, 169 in the 193-member assembly, Pakistan has been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).
On Tuesday, October 13, elections were held at the United Nations New York where five countries from the Asia-Pacific region were competing for the four seats available. Pakistan remarkably earned the most votes and secured a position for the next 3-year term commencing from January 2021.
This is the fifth time Pakistan has been elected at the UN Human Rights Council. Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York stated: “The international community has once again reposed confidence in Pakistan, recognising our contribution to the national and global human rights agenda and strong credentials as a consensus builder in the HRC.”
They also added, “Pakistan will remain actively engaged with the council as well as its related processes to continue to highlight the plight of Kashmiris and other oppressed people all over the world.”
Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi hailed Pakistan’s re-election – “It is a manifestation of the international community’s confidence and trust in the country’s commitment to a progressive national and global human rights agenda”.
Pakistan re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council with an overwhelming majority today, securing 169 votes in the 193 member UN General Assembly. Since HRC’s establishment in 2006, this is the fifth time Pakistan has been elected to the premier UN body on Human Rights @UN_HRC pic.twitter.com/j7soezaBL9
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) October 13, 2020
The Prime Minister’s Office also issued a statement following Pakistan’s re-election to the UNHRC.
In a major diplomatic success, Pakistan has been re-elected to Human Rights Council by UN General Assembly today for the term 2021-23. Pakistan’s candidature was supported by an overwhelming majority of countries; reflects confidence of int'l community in Pakistan’s credentials. pic.twitter.com/92rg75Qrbg
— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) October 13, 2020
The statement added, “Pakistan’s resounding success in this election to an important UN body showcases Pakistan as a principled, reliable & responsible player at the international stage, with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to work of the UN, especially on issues related to the human rights.”
Moreover, human rights violations being committed by Indian forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been heavily documented.
Regardless of being called out for atrocious human rights records by activist groups, China, Cuba and Russia won seats at the UN premier human rights body.
Saudi Arabia received just 90 votes despite it receiving 152 back in 2016. Saudi Arabia was also heavily criticised by the Human Rights Watch for the killing and targeting women activists, human rights defenders, critics and journalists. The Arab state still has given minimal accountability for the killings of Washington Post Columnist and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi.
“Had there been additional candidates, China, Cuba and Russia might have lost too,” he said. “But the addition of these undeserving countries won’t prevent the council from shining a light on abuses and speaking up for victims. In fact, by being on the council, these abusers will be directly in the spotlight.”, HRW’s UN director, Louis Charbonneau, said after the results were announced.
He also added, “Saudi Arabia’s failure to win a seat on the Human Rights Council is a welcome reminder of the need for more competition in UN elections.”
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