Pakistan won key election by securing seat on more than two thirds votes
Pakistan has won a key membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2018-20 in UN General Assembly.
During election process, Pakistan secured more than the required two-third majority votes among five candidates from the Asia Pacific region against four seats serving for 3 years.
The election in the 193-member General Assembly was held by secret ballot with a simple majority required. Pakistan successfully secured 151 votes when the required number of votes for membership were 97.
Pakistan became fourth time member of UN Human Rights Council since 2006. The Geneva-based Council is mandated to promote and protect human rights and prevent human rights across the world.
There were five candidates contesting for four Asia-Pacific seats on the Council. Apart from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Qatar also won seats on the Council. Malaysia, with 129 votes, could not get elected.
Pakistan’s Representative to UN, Maleeha Lodhi said Pakistan is humbled by and grateful for the overwhelming support it received from the world community. The election is a ringing endorsement of Pakistan’s strong commitment to human rights.
She further said Pakistan’s election gives the lie to those who claim that Pakistan is isolated and we protect our core national interests, uphold universal values, be a bridge builder between polarized positions and expose human rights abuses by India in occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan will return to the council after a gap of two years. Pakistan’s bid to get reelected as the member of UN human rights watchdog in 2015 failed as it could not win enough votes.
All of the Human Rights Council’s members are elected by the world body’s General Assembly, and it has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva.