Poland elected to join UN Human Rights Council

Poland has been elected to join the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term starting January 1 following a secret ballot in New York.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz

Photo: gov.pl

The country won a total of 124 votes in the ballot at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York on Thursday, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

#Poland 🇵🇱 has just been elected 🗳 a member of #HumanRightsCouncil for the term 2020-2022!!! pic.twitter.com/P0jBkJzjvD

— Poland in the UN (@PLinUN) October 17, 2019

Poland's Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz told reporters in July that Poland wanted to join the UN Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term to advance "the rights of children and people with disabilities in armed conflicts," among other priorities.

Poland also plans to focus on helping religious minorities and on strengthening civil society in its role as a member of the Council, according to Czaputowicz.

The UN Human Rights Council is a body of 47 member states within the United Nations that is tasked with overseeing respect for human rights.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR, un.org