Pledges of Human Rights Council Candidates vs. the Reality – 2025


According to the UN General Assembly resolution that created the Council (A/RES/60/251, adopted March 15, 2006): "when electing members of the Council, Member States shall take into account the contribution of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto;"

ANGOLA

    NO PLEDGE SUBMITTED

EGYPT

    NO PLEDGE SUBMITTED

PAKISTAN

    NO PLEDGE SUBMITTED

VIET NAM

    NO PLEDGE SUBMITTED

IRAQ

The Human Rights Pledge of Iraq
    "The Republic of Iraq, reaffirming its steadfast priority to promote and respect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms,... places human rights at the heart of its national policies and remains firmly committed to their promotion and protection."
    (Voluntary pledge for candidacy to Human Rights Council - Iraq)
Some of what Iraq neglected to mention in its pledge:
    "The human rights situation in Iraq worsened during the year due to increased federal government restrictions on fundamental freedoms and civic space... Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: arbitrary or unlawful killings; disappearances; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; arbitrary arrest and detention; serious abuses in a conflict; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, and censorship; significant restrictions on workers’ freedom of association; and significant presence of any of the worst forms of child labor."
    (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Iraq 2024, U.S. Department of State)