Iceland elected to the Human Rights Council

Iceland was elected to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations General Assembly in New York today, having received 172 out of 178 votes. Iceland thereby fills the vacancy left by the United States on the Council and will serve until the end of 2019. This is the first time Iceland serves on the Council.

"The role of the Human Rights Council is to promote and protect human rights and Iceland is ready to contribute to this work," said Mr. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland. "The broad support Iceland has received in this election is encouraging and we are ready to take on the responsibility that comes with serving on the Council."

Iceland has published its voluntary pledges and commitments for its tenure on the Council. Priorities include promoting and protecting gender equality and the human rights of all, including LGBTI+. 

For further information, please see Iceland's voluntary pledges and commitments and Minister Thordarson's opinion piece, written for the International Service for Human Rights.