Ban Ki-moon appoints new UN human rights chief
Friday, 25 Jul 2008 13:24
Ban Ki-moon appoints new UN human rights chief
Ban Ki-moon plans to appoint South
African judge Nayanethem Pillay to the position of United Nations high commissioner for human rights.
Ms Pilly's nomination followed an extensive selection process that included consultations with member states and the non-governmental organisation community, according to Mr Ban's spokesperson, Michele Montas,
"The secretary general is committed to ensure that human rights remain high on the agenda of the organisation," Ms Montas said.
"He expects that the new high commissioner will preserve the independence of her office and will maintain effective working relations with the general assembly and the Human Rights Council."
Since 2003, Ms Pillay has served as judge on the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, and before that she served as both judge and president on the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, since 1995.
The current commissioner, Louise Arbour of Canada, completed her five-year term on June 30th.