Czech Ambassador Bálek becomes President of the UN Human Rights Council

The Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations in Geneva, Václav Bálek, has been elected President of the UN Human Rights Council.

Mr. Bálek will take up this prestigious post at the beginning of January. It is the first time a Czech representative will chair the UN's main intergovernmental body in the field of human rights.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said Bálek’s election was the result of Czechia’s long-standing interest in human rights, its active involvement in the Human Rights Council and the emphasis placed on the protection and promotion of human rights by the current government.

The Council, which consists of 47 members, elected by UN Member States for a three-year term, aims to strengthen and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world.