India wins re-election to UN Human Rights Council

India today got re-elected to the UN's main human rights body for the period of 2015-17. India is currently a member of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council and its term will end on December 31, 2014.

It was seeking re-election to the UN body, the elections for which were held today during the ongoing 69th session of the UN General Assembly. India was competing in the Asia group in which four seats were up for election. The other countries in the Asia group competing in the election were Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.

"The support of member states for India's candidature in the Human Rights Council elections would be greatly appreciated," a note from the Indian mission had said last month.

The Council members are elected for a period of three years by the majority of members of the General Assembly through direct and secret ballot. They have the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.

Last year, the General Assembly had elected 14 countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and Russia to serve on the Council. According to the Council website, the General Assembly takes into account the candidate states' contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.

While members of the Council serve for a period of three years, they are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms. The Council's membership is based on equitable geographical distribution, with 13 seats each for African and Asia-Pacific states, eight seats for Latin American and Caribbean states, seven for Western European and other states and six for Eastern European states.