KAZAKHSTAN ELECTED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Astana, November 13: The Republic of Kazakhstan was elected today to the United Nations Humans Rights Council (UNHRC) by a vote of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Republic of Kazakhstan pledges to lead – not only from within the Council, but also at home – to guarantee that universal human rights are protected and observed across the globe.

“We are pleased to have been elected to the UN Human Rights Council”, said Altay Abibullayev, spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “But we do not consider it solely as a badge of honor. We see it as an opportunity to contribute to global efforts for making progress in this crucial field.”

Kazakhstan’s election to the major U.N.’s human rights body is a special achievement and the evidence of the country’s strong commitment to active international cooperation in this area.

The Republic of Kazakhstan has been actively supporting the work of the Human Rights Council - and in supporting human rights generally. The Minister of Foreign Affairs takes part every year in a high-level meeting of the Human Rights Council and, in February 2010, Kazakhstan participated in the UNHRC’s Universal Periodic Review.

Kazakhstan was supported by 183 out of 193 U.N. Member States and elected to the Council on 12th November in New York. Kazakhstan will serve three-year term beginning on 1 January 2013.

A total of 18 members were elected to the Human Rights Council held on that day.

UNHRC was established on March 15, 2006 as the leading international body for the protection of human rights, replacing the Commission on Human Rights. The Council consists of 47 countries. Membership in the Council is open to all U.N. member states. Members are elected for a three-year term by a majority of votes of the U.N. General Assembly through direct and secret ballot.