Five years after its previous mandate, Italy has been re-elected as a voting member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the universal protection and promotion of human rights.
Today, the UN General Assembly confirmed Italy’s candidature with 179 votes. Italy received the highest number of votes among the Western European and Others States Group, marking the country’s third consecutive success following its election to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (2023) and to the Economic and Social Council (2024).
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, welcomed this renewed expression of international confidence as a recognition of Italy’s long-standing engagement and consistent attention to the protection of human rights, the promotion of global dialogue, the safeguarding of minorities and the essential role of civil society.
With this new term — Italy’s fourth since the Council’s establishment in 2006 — the country will further strengthen its contribution to the work of the HRC. Italy’s action within the Council will focus on key priorities, including the fight against all forms of discrimination; the protection of the rights of children, older persons and persons with disabilities; the defence of freedom of expression and religion or belief; and the preservation of cultural and religious heritage. Among Italy’s long-standing priorities, particular emphasis will continue to be placed on the promotion of universal moratorium on the death penalty, as a decisive step towards its full abolition worldwide.
Italy will continue to work closely with all international partners to enhance the effectiveness of the Human Rights Council, with a clear objective: to make it an ever-stronger forum for the promotion of fundamental human rights, based on the principles of universality, interdependence and non-selectivity.
