Fiji has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council today at the UN General Assembly.  Fiji received 187 votes

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nazhat Shameem Khan said it was a historic day for Fiji.

“A historic day for Fiji today, but also an affirmation of the value of good team effort between Suva, Geneva and New York.”

She said it was a strong statement of confidence in Fiji.

The membership is for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019.

Fiji vied for a seat in the Asia Pacific category alongside Philippines, India, Bahrain and Bangladesh.

18 new members were elected: Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Fiji, India, Italy, Philippines, Somalia, Togo, and Uruguay.

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.