General Assembly endorses South African as new UN rights chief

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The General Assembly on Monday approved by consensus the appointment of South African judge Navanethem Pillay as the UN new high commissioner for human rights to succeed Louise Arbour of Canada.

Pillay, who was formally nominated by UN chief Ban Ki-moon last Thursday, currently serves as an appeals chamber judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC).

She is to take up her new post on September 1 for a four-year term.

In a statement released by his spokeswoman Michele Montas, Ban said he was "gratified" that his nomination of Pillay as Arbour's successor has been endorsed by the General Assembly."

Pillay's achievements were praised by the United Nations' regional groups, and the nonaligned movement.

Speaking on...