India Secures Seventh Term on UN Human Rights Council for 2026-2028

India has successfully secured its seventh election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026-28 term.

New York:

The United Nations Human Rights Council has announced that India has been elected for the 2026-28 term, representing the country's seventh time serving on the Geneva-based rights body.

Following Tuesday's election results, the UNHRC confirmed through social media that India's new three-year term will commence on January 1, 2026.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, expressed gratitude via social media for the overwhelming support received from member delegations.

"India was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2026-28 for the seventh time today," Harish stated.

The diplomat emphasized that this election reflects India's steadfast commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"We look forward to serve this objective during our tenure," he added.

The UN Human Rights Council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms, with seats distributed according to equitable geographic representation rules.

The Council's seat allocation follows regional distribution: African States receive 13 seats; Asia-Pacific States, 13 seats; Eastern European States, 6 seats; Latin American and Caribbean States, 8 seats; and Western European and other States, 7 seats.

India most recently served on the UNHRC in 2024 after two consecutive terms, taking a required gap this year before seeking election for the 2026-28 term in compliance with regulations prohibiting three consecutive tenures.

Since the Council's establishment in 2006, India has maintained consistent membership except for three mandatory breaks in 2011, 2018, and 2025. In the inaugural Council election of 2006, India received the highest number of votes, securing 173 out of 190 votes. India has subsequently served six terms: 2006-2007, 2008-2010, 2012-2014, 2015-2017, 2019-2021, and 2022-2024.

Other nations elected for the three-year term beginning January 1, 2026, include Angola, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, Slovenia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, as announced by the UNHRC.