Foreign Minister Støre welcomes US candidacy for the Human Rights Council

The US has decided to put forward its candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council in the elections to be held in the UN General Assembly in May 2009. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomes the news of the US candidacy and the country’s decision to engage in the work of the Council.

According to the State Department press release, the decision is in keeping with the Obama Administration’s “new era of engagement” and the fact that human rights are an essential element of American foreign policy. They feel that they can make the Council more effective by working from within. The US will now work with other countries to improve the UN human rights system to advance the vision of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

“We welcome this news and look forward to closer cooperation with the US in this area if both countries are elected to the Human Rights Council. The Council is the UN’s most important body for promoting and strengthening human rights. The fact that the US has decided to re-engage in the Council’s work will enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Eighteen of the seats on the Council will be up for election in New York on 12 May. Of Western countries, Norway, Belgium and New Zealand launched their candidacy for three of the permanent seats reserved for this group. New Zealand has now withdrawn its candidacy. Norway, Belgium and the US need the support of a majority of the UN member countries in order to be elected. Members of the Council are elected for a three-year period.