Nigeria has been elected to United Nations Human Rights Council, UNHRC, for three-year term.
Council announced election in post on X on Tuesday, listing Nigeria among 15 countries elected by UN General Assembly, UNGA, to serve on council from 2027 to 2029.
In February, Nigeria declared its candidacy for seat on UNHRC, with commitment to fully cooperate with council’s mechanisms, finance safe schools, and invest in secure learning environments to prioritise children’s safety amid security threats.
Nigeria’s last membership term on UNHRC ended in 2020, following its re-election in 2017 for 2018-2020 period.
West-African country secured seat with 172 votes out of 181 valid votes cast by member states.
Human Rights Council is intergovernmental body within UN system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. It also addresses human rights violations and makes recommendations on situations requiring international attention.
Council comprises 47 member states elected by UN General Assembly, UNGA, through direct and secret ballot. Elections take into account candidates’ contributions to human rights promotion and protection, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments.
Membership is allocated according to equitable geographical distribution, with African states holding 13 seats, Asia-Pacific region 13, Latin American and Caribbean states eight, Western European and other states seven, and Eastern European states six.
Nigeria’s election comes with responsibility to uphold high human rights standards, in line with principles established when General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/251 in March 2006 to create council.
Members serve three-year terms and cannot seek immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms. Council meets at UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, and considers human rights issues and situations throughout year.
Other countries elected for this new term are Brazil, Burundi, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia.
