The Dominican Republic launched its candidacy to be one of the 47 States responsible for the strengthening, promotion and protection of human rights in the world, as a member of the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations (UN) for the period 2024-2026.
The country seeks to assume, for the first time, the work commitments it has defined in this regard, after its recent participation as a Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, and in view of the interest of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, to collaborate at the international level with the strengthening of human rights.
Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with other State institutions and the foreign service, will continue to work hard to achieve this important position as part of axis number three of the foreign policy which seeks to promote democratic values and human rights enshrined in the constitution and international treaties. This position was presented before members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations accredited in the country, Dominican Government officials, businessmen, opinion leaders and representatives of civil society.
Alvarez emphasized that the country is committed to continue advancing gender equality; work towards the abolition of the death penalty, child labor and child marriage; advocate for freedom of expression, social participation and non-impunity; support the independence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and strengthen the national implementation of human rights obligations.
“The Dominican Government understands that occupying a seat on the Human Rights Council (HRC) would give the country the ideal space to position itself as a regional leader on issues related to fundamental rights and, in turn, promote a participatory and open dialogue from the vision of a receiving and sending country of migrants,” added the minister.
The election of the members of the HRC is scheduled for October 2023 at the United Nations General Assembly, and according to the statutes, the members of the UN body will be elected directly and individually by secret ballot and by majority vote.
About the UN Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) was created in March 2006, by UN resolution 60/251, as an intergovernmental body of the United Nations System that is composed of 47 Member States that are responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. The resolution establishing the HRC states that for reasons of geographic equity 13 of the Member States should belong to the African Group; 13 from Asia and the Pacific; 6 from Eastern Europe; 8 from Latin America and the Caribbean; and 7 from the Western European and Others Group.
Council members serve a three-year term and are not eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms. In addition, the Organization’s statutes provide for one-third of its members to be renewed annually.
The HRC meets three times a year, in March, June and September, at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. However, the body is empowered to convene urgent meetings to respond to emergency human rights situations.
