Estonia - A member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2013–2015

• Estonia was elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2013-2015. Membership will enable Estonia to make a greater contribution  to the protection, promotion and advocacy of human rights. 
• As a member of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Estonia is committed to protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms both in Estonia and as a member of international organisations. Estonia regards the promotion of human rights domestically and our foreign policy activities as complementary actions that help to strengthen and reinforce human rights in the world.
• Expanding the circle of like-minded countries that respect human rights, democracy, and the principles of rule of law is one of Estonia’s foreign policy priorities. We pay particular attention to the rights of women and children, gender equality, and freedom of expression. Estonia's membership in the Human Rights Council is a logical step forward that reflects our human rights commitments. Estonia has also contributed as the current Vice-President of the Executive Board of UN-Women and UNICEF, a member of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Executive Board of the UNFPA, and as a past president of the Consultative Committee of UNIFEM and vice-presidency of ECOSOC.

The logo of Estonia’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council

The logo ties together Estonia’s blue, black and white flag and the UN flag – one flows seamlessly into the other. The place where they merge is covered by an enlarged detail from the olive branch found on the UN logo. The olive branch detail bears similarities to the logo of the UN Human Rights Council. The logo was designed by Kristjan Mändmaa.