The Minister for Foreign Affairs has today welcomed the appointment of Justice Navanethem Pillay as the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Judge Pillay, who will succeed outspoken Canadian Louise Arbour, is a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and she takes office on September 1st.
"Justice Pillay's record internationally as a judge at the International Criminal Court, and previously as a human rights defender against apartheid in South Africa, makes her eminently suitable to be the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She is an excellent choice as a successor to Louise Arbour," Micheál Martin said.
Mr Martin added that her record as a judge for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she served for eight years, including four as president, demonstrated her dedication to the defence of human rights.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon welcomed Judge Pillay's confirmation yesterday by the assembly.
Amnesty International has also welcomed the appointment. “International human rights standards are increasingly under attack. . . . Judge Pillay will need to be a leader and champion for human rights everywhere,” the organisation said in a statement.
“She must be a forceful, independent and fearless human rights advocate addressing violations wherever they occur - and be willing to speak out regardless of the power or influence of the country concerned.”
Amnesty International called on the UN secretary general to support the high commissioner for human rights in retaining the independence of her office.
UN diplomats and officials said the United States had initially resisted the idea of appointing her due to concerns about her views on abortion and other issues but eventually agreed to drop its opposition.
Born in 1941, Judge Pillay worked as a lawyer in South Africa, where she defended anti-apartheid activists and championed the right of Nelson Mandela and other dissidents to legal assistance.
Additional reporting Reuters
