Finland elected to the Human Rights Council of the UN
9 May, 2006
Finland was elected to the new Human Rights Council of the UN at the election held today in New York. The UN General Assembly chose 47 members who will make up the first composition of the newly established human rights body of the United Nations.
“Human rights are included among the priorities of Finland’s foreign policy. To us, it’s significant that we have the chance to take part in strengthening protection of human rights at the global level,” Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja stated. “With regard to the Finland’s EU Presidency, too, it’s important that Finland is a member of the Human Rights Council and can participate fully in creating the new Council’s modes of action. We expect that the new Council will be able to carry out long-term, practical-oriented – and therefore more effective – protection of human rights,” Tuomioja continued.
The election was held at the UN General Assembly, where all states have the right to vote. The Human Rights Council will convene for its first session on 19 June. The Human Rights Council differs from its predecessor, the UN Human Rights Committee, in its permanence. Conditions for membership of the Council are also stricter. “Members are required to pledge their commitment to promoting human rights, and our departure point is that the members now chosen will implement their membership commitments to the best of their ability, as Finland will do for her part,” the Foreign Minister said.
Additional information: Johanna Suurpää, Head of Unit, Unit for Human Rights Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6551, Susanna Parkkonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5012, UN website: www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)