{"id":116492,"date":"2018-08-13T12:00:29","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T11:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=116492"},"modified":"2018-08-11T12:58:36","modified_gmt":"2018-08-11T11:58:36","slug":"pioneering-former-chilean-president-michelle-bachelet-officially-appointed-new-un-human-rights-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2018\/08\/pioneering-former-chilean-president-michelle-bachelet-officially-appointed-new-un-human-rights-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Pioneering\u2019 Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Officially Appointed New UN Human Rights Chief"},"content":{"rendered":"

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After a vote on Friday [10 Aug] by the United Nations General Assembly<\/a> in New York, former two-time President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, hailed <\/a>a \u201cpioneer\u201d by the UN Secretary-General, has officially been appointed as High Commissioner for Human Rights, effective from 1 September.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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10 Aug 2018 – <\/em>Minutes after she was voted in, UN chief Antonio Guterres <\/a>told reporters he was \u201cdelighted\u201d by the news of her official appointment as Michelle Bachelet \u201chas been as formidable a figure in her native Chile, as she has at the United Nations\u201d.<\/p>\n

Highlighting her role as the first leader of UN Women<\/a>, between 2010 and 2013, he said she gave \u201cthat new entity a dynamic and inspiring start\u201d. He also pointed to her remarkable career as \u201cthe first woman to serve as the country\u2019s President, but also as a survivor of brutality by the authorities targeting her and her family, many decades ago\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has lived under the darkness of dictatorship,\u201d he continued. \u201cAs a physician, she knows the trials of people thirsting for health and yearning to enjoy other vital economic and social rights. And she knows the responsibilities of both national and global leadership\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Michelle Bachelet of Chile, newly-appointed as the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights by Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres. UN Photo\/Jean-Marc Ferre<\/p><\/div>\n

Following the announcement, Ms. Bachelet said she was “deeply humbled and honored” to have been entrusted with “this important task.”<\/p>\n

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, and at a time when \u201chatred and inequality are on the rise,\u201d the Secretary-General said it was vital to have a \u201cstrong advocate for all human rights\u201d and he \u201ccould not think of a better choice\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichelle Bachelet brings unique experience to the United Nations and to all of us, and is strongly committed to keeping human rights at the forefront of the work of the United Nations,\u201d he concluded. \u201cShe has my full confidence and support, and I ask all Member States and our partners to extend to her their support\u201d.<\/p>\n

Her predecessor in this position, Zeid Ra\u2019ad Al Hussein<\/a>, who took on the role in September 2014 and who Mr. Guterres described as having served with \u201cleadership, passion, courage and skill\u201d for the past four years, also warmly welcomed her appointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has all the attributes \u2013 courage, perseverance, passion, and a deep commitment to human rights \u2013 to make her a successful High Commissioner,\u201d he said on Friday in a statement<\/a>, adding that the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR<\/a>) \u201clooks forward to welcoming her and working under her leadership for the promotion and protection of all human rights, for everyone, everywhere\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Deeply humbled and honored to announce my acceptance as the @UN<\/a>\u2019s new High Commissioner for Human Rights. I thank Secretary General @antonioguterres<\/a> and the General Assembly for entrusting me this important task.<\/p>\n

— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) August 10, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n