Why Zambia is currently not a member of UN human rights council —Govt

The Zambian government has reassured its citizens that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has not considered nor adopted any resolution for the suspension or removal of Zambia from the Human Rights Council as the country is currently not holding a seat on the Council.

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body under the United Nations (UN) that comprises 47 member states of the UN elected by a majority vote of the UNGA through direct and secret ballot to serve for three years, on rotational basis.

Responding to media reports that the UN had sanctioned Zambia For rights violations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperations Permanent Secretary, Etambuyu Gundersen, said Members were not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Gundersen who held a joint media briefing with her counterpart at the Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, said the elections were held during the annual meetings held annually from September to November.

She reminded Zambians that Zambia was among the inaugural members to serve on the Human Rights Council from 2006- 2008.

“In line with the principle of equitable geographical distribution of Council seats, Zambia intends to vie for a seat on the Council once again, at the UNGA elections in 2026 under the African States region quota for SADC, for a three-year term beginning 1 January, 2027,” Gundersen said.

She assured that the Zambian government remained steadfast to its human rights commitments both under domestic and international law and continues to cooperate with the independent human rights experts of the Council who report and advise on country situations or thematic issues.

Gundersen stated that the government continued to respond positively to Special Rapporteur requests for country visits and at the invitation of Government, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression is expected in the Country on January, 19 2025.

“This demonstrates Government’s commitment to transparency and the promotion and protection of human rights,” she said.

She cautioned citizens saying that while freedom of expression was a constitutional right, it was not guaranteed in absolute terms but should be exercised within the limits and confines of the law.

“Journalists, particularly as critical stakeholders, are implored to adhere to ethical reporting if the watchdog role of the Press is to continue to retain its importance as the fourth estate in the preservation of our democracy as the dissemination of factual information is a critical precursor to sustainable national development in conditions of peace and security,” she said.

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