UN General Assembly Elects 14 New Members to Human Rights Council

The United Nations General Assembly has elected 14 new countries to serve on the Human Rights Council, the UN’s main intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. The newly elected members will begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2026.

The Human Rights Council, based in Geneva and composed of 47 member states, holds regular sessions throughout the year to discuss human rights situations and thematic issues around the world.

Regional Distribution of Newly Elected Members

The elections took place according to the UN’s regional group allocations:

African Group: Angola, South Africa, Mauritius, and Egypt

Asia-Pacific Group: India, Iraq, Pakistan, and Vietnam

Latin American and Caribbean Group: Chile and Ecuador

Western Europe and Others Group: Italy and the United Kingdom

Eastern European Group: Estonia and Slovenia

These nations will join the Council as part of the next rotation of members, taking on a key role in shaping global human rights discourse and policy over the next three years.

The Council, which convenes at the UN Office in Geneva, regularly examines country-specific and thematic human rights situations, adopts resolutions, and works closely with international experts and special rapporteurs to uphold human rights worludwide.