The Maldives has begun its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025.
Maldives won a seat on the Human Rights Council following the elections held on 11 October 2022, in New York.
The election saw 17 countries competing for 14 vacant seats. The Maldives competed in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, for one of the 4 vacant seats.
The Maldives won with 154 votes, out of a total of 189 votes cast. Along with the Maldives, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Kyrgyzstan also won seats in the Asia-Pacific Group.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights that the Maldives' membership will be guided by the principles of human rights, democracy and good governance and climate action, which underlies the basic principles of Maldives foreign policy.
The ministry also notes that Maldives will strive to advance key areas of human rights in the true spirit of multilateralism, during the three years of membership.
The Maldives membership will contribute towards strengthening of national mechanisms and government institutions at all levels to mainstream and uphold human rights.
The Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva Dr. Asim Ahmed, will also serve as the Vice President of the Human Rights Council for 2023 representing the Asia Pacific Group.
The membership for the UN Humans Rights Council is based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats are allotted as follows among regional groups;
Group of African States has 13 seats
Group of Asia-Pacific States has 13 seats
Group of Eastern European States has 06 seats
Group of Latin American and Caribbean States has 08 seats
Group of Western European and other States has 07 seats
The 47 members at the United Nations Human Rights Council not only reflect the United Nation’s diversity, but it gives the Council legitimacy when speaking out on human rights violations in all countries.
Members serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
