Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih expressed pride over Maldives winning a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Following the announcement of the Maldives earning a seat in the UNHRC for 2023-2025, President Solih took to twitter and expressed his pride over the island nation winning a seat on the council.
Additionally, he also appreciated the Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and the Maldivian Foreign Affairs team for the accomplishment. According to the President, the key elements of Maldivian democracy are human rights, fundamental equality and independence for all. The voting for the United Nations Human Rights Council was held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Maldives won a seat at the UNHRC.
In addition, a total of 17 nations raced for 14 open seats in the election. The Maldives contested in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, which had 4 vacant seats. The Maldives received 154 votes out of the total 189 votes. Following the Maldives, other Asia-Pacific nations including Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Kyrgyzstan also won seats under the Asia-Pacific Group.
The UN Humans Rights Council membership is given based on equal geographical distribution, and seats are distributed among regional groups in the following manner. Group of African States includes 13 seats; Group of Asia-Pacific States includes 13 seats; Group of Eastern European States includes 06 seats; Group of Latin American and Caribbean States includes 08 seats; and Group of Western European and other States includes 07 seats.
The 47 members of the United Nations Human Rights Council demonstrates the United Nation’s diversity, as well as gives the Council legitimacy when addressing human rights violations in all countries. Members who serve for a term of three years are not eligible for instant re-election after serving two consecutive terms. The newly added members will begin their service from January 1, 2023.
