With the upcoming expiration of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s mandate, IJDH and over 60 civil society organizations from across the world send an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for an open, transparent, merit-based, and consultative nomination process for the next High Commissioner.
“The post of High Commissioner should be filled by someone of high moral standing and personal integrity, and who is independent and impartial and possesses competency and expertise in the field of human rights….The High Commissioner’s role is to be the world’s leading human rights advocate, as distinct from the role of a diplomat or political envoy. Demonstrating solidarity with victims and publicly calling out abuses should take precedence over friendly dialogue with governments.”
Read the open letter here.
