Bangladesh elected at the UN Human Rights Council with huge votes – “This victory is the manifestation of the indomitable advancement of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in democracy, human rights, good governance, transparency and accountability as well as the socio-economic development”:Representatives of the UN Member States

New York, 12 October 2018:

Bangladesh has been elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2019-2021. Elections were held this morning at the General Assembly to elect 18 members of the Council by direct and secret ballot.All the 193 member states of the UN attended the election, which was presided over by the President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly, Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa.

Following completion of the vote count, the result was announced by the President of the 73rd Session. Although majority of votes i.e.97 votes were required by the candidates to be elected to the Human Rights Council, Bangladesh secured 178 votes.

After the election, a large number of representatives from the member states congratulated the Bangladesh delegation. They expressed views that this victory of Bangladesh is a testimony to the indomitable advancements Bangladesh has been making in democracy, human rights, good governance, transparency and accountability as well as the socio-economic development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The timely, humanitarian and sympathetic gesture shown by Bangladesh with regard to the Rohingya issue was also referred to which has brightened the image of Bangladesh at world stage.

It may be mentioned that during the current tenure of the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh also served at the Human rights Council earlier, for the term 2015-2017.

India, Bahrain, Fiji and the Philippines were elected alongside Bangladesh from the Asia-Pacific Group.

***