The Marshall Islands was elected to its second two-year term on the United Nations Human Rights Council during a UN General Assembly vote last week.
According to the Reuters news agency, the Asia-Pacific group was the only competitive race for the Human Rights Council. There were five seats available to this group and the RMI came in fifth place with 124 votes, beating the sixth country competing for a seat on the council, Saudi Arabia.
RMI Ambassador to the UN and a RMI delegation was on hand for the vote at the General Assembly.
The RMI was previously on the HRC from 2021-2022. The new two-year term starts in January 2025. There are 47 members of the HRC.
“The HRC and its mechanisms and procedures – including the Universal Periodic Review, HRC-mandated investigative mechanisms, special procedures and treaty bodies, as well as the technical assistance provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – all play an essential role in providing early warning of the risk factors that can lead to crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide, and provide recommendations to prevent their recurrence,” said a report in www.globalr2p.org.
“In this pivotal role, the Marshall Islands will pursue a balanced agenda focused on strengthening accountability and elevating the voices of small states as essential bridge-builders in international dialogue,” said the RMI Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement following last week’s vote. “We are committed to representing the Pacific region and advocating for the interests of small island states within the Council.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all Member States for their support during the election process and in participating in this important vote. We look forward to collaborating with our fellow members of the Human Rights Council in advancing our shared commitment to human rights and fostering meaningful dialogue on critical issues.”