Cyprus gains seat at UN human rights council

With 167 votes in its favour, Cyprus was for the first time elected to a seat at the UN human rights council on Wednesday.

“This is an excellent result for our country,” President Nikos Christodoulides said on X shortly after Cyprus’ election.

“It demonstrates the respect and trust that exists for Cyprus so as to participate in important organisations of the UN system.”

The foreign ministry called it “an intense and highly competitive campaign.”

“The election constitutes an important milestone for Cypriot diplomacy, since, for the first time in its history, the Republic of Cyprus is elected to one of the most important bodies of the UN system, thus strengthening the diplomatic footprint of our country internationally.”

It specified that as an elected member of the human rights council, “Cyprus will have the opportunity to highlight issues which it considers to be of significant importance, such as children’s rights, gender equality and women’s rights, the rights of vulnerable groups, and the protection of cultural heritage.”

Christodoulides expressed his thanks to the foreign ministry and all member states that supported Cyprus’ candidacy.

Echoing the President, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos told CNA the development “was yet more proof that Cyprus’ diplomatic horizons are broadening.”

The goal is to exercise statehood as an active member of the international community, he added.

Announcing the news, the foreign ministry thanked UN member states for the vote. “We look forward to working with all UN member states to promote human dignity, equality and justice worldwide. Together, we can achieve the full enjoyment of human rights for all.”

“With a strong track record in upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Cyprus is ready to contribute substantially to the human rights council consultations and initiatives aimed at addressing contemporary challenges, including international human rights violations.”

Kombos, who has been in New York since Monday, had been presenting and promoting the country’s candidacy and conveying the Republic’s priorities as part of its election ambitions.

It is the first time Cyprus has ran for the seat, where it gathered 167 votes. A total of 18 countries were selected for the three-year term starting January 1, 2025 which will last until 2027.

The 18 countries are Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.

Members of the Geneva-based human rights council are elected by the 193-member UN General Assembly in New York in a secret ballot in geographical groups to ensure even representation.

A total of 189 countries participated in this electoral process.

While the human rights council does not have legally binding powers, its meetings raise scrutiny and it can mandate investigations to document abuses, which sometimes form the basis for war crimes prosecutions.

Kombos was present at a secret ballot for the nomination of the new members, accompanied by the permanent representative of Cyprus to the UN, Ambassador Maria Michael, ministry officials, and diplomats.