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Photo: Markéta Trnková (©MZV)
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The Czech Republic elected member of the UN Human Rights Council

 

At the General Assembly session on 12th October 2018, the Czech Republic was elected with a significant majority of votes a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 – 2021. The outcome of the election is a result of several years of dedicated efforts of the Czech diplomacy and, consistent with the Government Policy Statement, it represents an unequivocal commitment for the Czech human rights foreign policy. Through the Human Rights Council membership, the Czech Republic will maintain its proactive role in the United Nations.

The Czech Republic will build on its previous membership in the years 2011-2014 and 2006-2007 and its reputation. Consistent with the Human Rights and Transition Promotion Policy Concept, the Czech Republic is committed to addressing situations of gross human rights violations. The Czech Republic will actively promote human dignity, including human rights and democracy around the world. Support to equal participation in political and public affairs will be one of its priorities. The Czech Republic will continue supporting the universal periodic review mechanism and will actively participate in the efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and functioning of the Council.

The Human Rights Council is the main UN political inter-governmental body, established by the General Assembly, responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights. It meets three times a year in Geneva for regular sessions which altogether last 10 weeks. Members of the Council can also call for its special session to address serious human rights situations. Moreover, three times a year, the Council meets for two weeks in the format of the working group for the universal periodic review, which provides an opportunity for States to formulate to each other recommendations for improving their human rights situation. During the elections, one third of the membership is being elected (there are 47 members of the Council). States are elected according to a regional key for a three-year term.

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