Comment on Daily Nation Newspaper Story “UN Sanctions Zambia for Human Rights Violations”

 It should be noted that membership to the UNHRC is through elections with a Member State seeking election by presenting its candidacy. UNHRC member States are elected by the majority of the members of the General Assembly on equitable geographical distribution following a transparent process. The General Assembly takes into account the candidate States' contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard. The fact that Zambia has not sought election and is not on the list of members does not mean that it has been blacklisted but simply that the country has chosen not to seek membership during this period. Zambia was not a candidate for elections for the terms 2023-2025 and 2024-2026. 

What the story implies is that all African and other countries that are not on the said list are blacklisted. This would be totally incorrect.

Zambia previously served as a member of the UNHRC for two consecutive terms from 2006 to 2011. The United Nations is aware that the Republic of Zambia will later this year seek membership to the UNHRC.

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