The government has revealed it has decided to put Denmark forth as a candidate for the United Nation’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the future.
Denmark’s candidacy will be for the period from 2019-2021 and will be decided by the UN General Assembly.
“Denmark must fight for human rights for citizens around the world,” said the foreign minister, Kristian Jensen. “The human rights area is increasingly becoming an international value policy battle ground.”
“The rights that we enjoy in Denmark and see as given and natural are under increasing pressure. That includes the freedom of press, speech, religion and the protection of rights of minorities and women.”
READ MORE: UN begins process of assessing human rights in Denmark
Global human rights watchdog
The UNHRC was established in 2006 and is UN’s central forum for discussion regarding human rights. The council discusses and sets the boundaries for human rights and works to improve the basis for justice handed out to victims of human rights abuse.
The UNHRC also establishes mandates for UN inspectors, work groups and experts who monitor and treat human rights situations globally.
The UNHRC currently consists of 47 member nations, all elected for three-year periods.
