Bangladesh has been elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the next three years.

The election to the council was held in New York yesterday.

“Bangladesh has so far won thrice -- 2009-2012, 2015-2017 and 2019-2021 --during the tenures of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told UNB.

Bangladesh bagged 178 votes in the election where the members of the UN General Assembly voted, he added.

The state minister also said the election result signified international community's trust and confidence in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh secured more votes than Bahrain and Philippines (165 votes).

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them.

It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN office in Geneva.

The UNHRC replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.