India to seek re-election to UN's human rights body in October

India will seek re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a second consecutive term in a vote to be held in October.

The country is currently a member of the 47-nation UNHRC and its term ends on December 31, 2014. It is seeking re-election to UN's main human rights body for the period of 2015-17 and the elections will be held in October during the ongoing 69th session of the UN General Assembly, according to the Indian mission to the UN.

India will compete in the Asia group in which four seats will be up for election. The other countries in the Asia group that will be candidates in the electionare Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.

The support of member states for the country's candidature in the Human Rights Council elections would be greatly appreciated, a note from the Indian mission said.

The Council members are elected for a period of three years by the majority of members of the General Assembly through direct and secret ballot. They have the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.

In 2013, the General Assembly had elected 14 countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and Russia to serve on the Council.

According to the Council website, 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 regard of the same.

While members of the Council serve for a period of three years, they are not eligible for immediatere-election after serving two consecutive terms.

The Council's Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution, with 13 seats each for African and Asia-Pacific states, eight seats for Latin American and Caribbean states, seven for Western European and other states and six for Eastern European states.

(PTI)