Nepal elected to UNHRC for the third time

Kathmandu, Oct. 14

Nepal has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027–2029 term, securing the highest number of votes among the countries elected from the Asia-Pacific regional group.

Nepal received 173 of the 180 votes cast in the election held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

“We sincerely thank all UN member states for expressing their confidence in Nepal’s commitment to multilateralism, human rights, international law and a rules-based international system centred on the United Nations,” Nepal’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York said in a statement.

Other countries elected to the Council for the 2027–2029 term include Brazil, Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Moldova, Nigeria, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia.

The mission said Nepal remained committed to working closely with UN member states and other partners to protect human dignity, promote inclusiveness and advance social justice and equal and equitable development for all.

Nepal previously served two consecutive terms on the Council, from 2018 to 2020 and from 2021 to 2023. Established in 2006, the UN Human Rights Council is the United Nations’ principal intergovernmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms, with seats allocated according to geographical representation.

The Council reviews the human rights situation in member states, discusses alleged human rights violations, makes recommendations and encourages international cooperation to promote and protect human rights. Through its Universal Periodic Review mechanism, it also assesses the human rights records of all UN member states, read the statement.

“Nepal’s election provides an opportunity to strengthen its representation in international human rights forums. As a Council member, Nepal will be able to contribute to multilateral dialogue and cooperation on human rights, human dignity, equality, inclusiveness, social justice and respect for international law,” it said.

Membership will also bring responsibilities to implement international human rights commitments, protect fundamental freedoms and translate Nepal’s commitment to universal human rights principles into practice.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 15 October 2026.