New Zealand seeks election to the UN Human Rights Council
New Zealand is standing next year for election to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for the term 2009-2012.
Having played a prominent role during the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council, New Zealand now wishes to serve on the Council and play a part in shaping its important work. We want to play a continuing role in the Council as a member to ensure that this fledgling organisation realises its potential as the pre-eminent global human rights body.
During the 60-year history of the Commission on Human Rights, New Zealand only served one two year term from 1966-1967. If elected, New Zealand as a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum would bring a much-needed Pacific perspective to the Council. New Zealand’s bid for election is supported by Canada and Australia, who are our CANZ partners.
We also look forward to working closely with other UN Member States in a “spirit of cooperation and genuine dialogue” to ensure that the Council fulfils its important mandate of “promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner” (General Assembly Resolution 62/251).
New Zealand looks forward to the strong support of UN Member States for our candidature in 2009.
Campaign brochure
- Human Rights Council Campaign Brochure (PDF 1.24 MB)
Special Language Versions
- Arabic language version - [PDF 293 KB]
- French language version - [PDF 259 KB]
- Spanish language version - [PDF 260 KB]
