PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York – Zambian Professor Cephas Lumina has been elected to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child at an election held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 23rd May 2024.
Lumina, a Professor of international human rights law and an advocate of the High Court of Zambia, garnered 134 votes and was among the nine members elected to the Commttee to serve a four year term from 2025 to 2029. Other countries elected were Mauritania, Kenya, Belgium, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Georgia, Moldova and Malta.
Professor Lumina was among the five candidates who were endorsed by the African Union. A total of 17 candidates took part in the election of which 10 were from African countries.
Professor Lumina’s priorities on the Committee include, formulation of recommendations that are clear, focused, relevant and achievable. He will also prioritise the establishment of a follow-up system to monitor the implementation of recommendations and support the establishment of a coordination mechanism to ensure the harmonization of recommendations of Treaty and other human rights bodies in the interests of coherence and efficiency, to the benefit of States and other stakeholders.
Speaking after the election, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Chola Milambo said the election of Professor Lumina was a significant achievement for Zambia and underscored the commitment the country has in the field of child rights and welfare. He mentioned this in reference to President Hakainde Hichilema’s role as Africa Union Champion on Ending, Early, Child and Forced Marriage.
This will be the second time Professor Lumina will be a member of the Committee having previously served from 2017 to 2021.
Issued by:
Namatama Njekwa
First Secretary Press and Public Relations
Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations.
