Pakistan is contesting Human Rights Council elections to be held on May 9. The Council will be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.
Council membership is open to all member states of the United Nations. Members would be elected by the General Assembly through individual and direct votes by absolute majority (96 votes).
The distribution of seats would be in accordance with equitable geographical representation (13 from the African Group; 13 from the Asian Group; 6 from the Eastern European Group; 8 from the Latin American and Caribbean Group; and 7 from the Western European and other states Group).
The new Council will consist of 47 member states, as compared to the 53-member Commission on Human Rights. When voting for members of the Council, member states will take into consideration a candidate's contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights.
The General Assembly would have the right to suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that its decision has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership. This process of suspension would require a two-thirds majority vote by the General Assembly.
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