MOSCOW, October 8 (RIA Novosti) – Russia has applied for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for a two-year term starting next year, a senior government official said Tuesday.
Russia currently has observer status in the council and is thus unable to vote. The country was previously a full-fledged member but had to temporarily end its membership because the council’s charter does not allow any one state to serve two terms in succession, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told RIA Novosti.
“This is why we had to take a pause in 2013. But Russia has put forward its candidacy for 2014-16,” he said, adding that the election would be held on November 12. “We hope to receive support,” he added.
