Kuwait Re-elected to UN Human Rights Council

The United Nations General Assembly elected 15 countries to membership on the Human Rights Council today, Tuesday, including Kuwait, for a three-year term beginning on January 1 of next year. Kuwait received 173 votes in the election, which was held by secret ballot within the Asia-Pacific Group, while the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan received 171 votes.

In addition to Kuwait and Jordan, the elected countries included Nepal, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Brazil, and Germany. Kuwait’s election marks its second consecutive term on the Council; its current term ends on December 31 of next year, while its new term will begin on January 1, 2027, and run through the end of 2029.

The Human Rights Council comprises 47 member states elected directly by the UN General Assembly by secret ballot, in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution, for three-year terms. A state is not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Headquartered in Geneva, the Council is an intergovernmental body within the UN system tasked with promoting and protecting human rights, discussing human rights situations worldwide, addressing violations, and making recommendations on how to address them.