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Greece Applies for a Seat at the UN Human Rights Council

UN Human Rights Council Greece
The UN Human Rights Council at work. Credit: United Nations

On Monday, Greece applied for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council, UNHRC, whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias presented Greece’s candidature for the period 2028-2030, saying its aim was to advance the Council’s vital work based on respect for International Law and especially the Charter of the United Nations.

Addressing the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva through a video message, he pointed out that Greece has never had the chance to serve in the Council before.

He vowed to continue UNHRC’s work in a spirit of international synergy and dialogue with all relevant UN bodies and member states, because “Greece is convinced of the added value and effectiveness of a consensus-based approach.”

Greece stands by the principles of the UN Human Rights Council

Dendias noted a need to reaffirm a universal commitment to respect International Law and in particular the United Nations Charter while stressing that 75 years after its adoption, “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is here to underline that there can be no peace if human rights are violated”.

Likewise, he stressed that Greece steadfastly stands by its principles, respecting rules-based multilateralism based on International Law.

He also pointed out that Greece has submitted its candidacy for the UN Security Council in the period 2025-2026 in this spirit and that it contributes to resolutions such as the promotion of cultural rights, sports and the Olympic Games, as well as human rights in neurotechnology.

“It is with these priorities and principles that we aim to promote the vital work of the Council,” the Foreign Minister stressed.

UN Human Rights Council has 47 members

The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The headquarters of the Council are at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Council investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states and addresses thematic human rights issues like freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

The Council consists of 47 members, elected yearly by the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms. Members are selected on the basis of equitable geographic rotation using the United Nations regional grouping system. Members are eligible for re-election for one additional term, after which they must relinquish their seat.

The seats are distributed along the following lines:

13 for the African Group
13 for the Asia-Pacific Group
6 for the Eastern European Group
8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group
7 for the Western European and Others Group

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