UN to tap Jordan's ambassador as new rights chief

7 June 2014 06:30 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The UN secretary-general said Friday he will appoint Jordan's ambassador as the new high commissioner for human rights, bringing a voice from the Middle East to that post when such rights are under strain in several countries there.

Ban Ki-moon's office announced that Prince Zeid al Hussein, a longtime diplomat and former UN peacekeeper, has been nominated to replace Navi Pillay.

Pillay has been a forceful spokeswoman, most recently this week when she was the most prominent UN official to speak out on the 25th anniversary of China's crushing of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, in which hundreds were killed. Ban made no comment this week on the Tiananmen crackdown.

The South African-born Pillay's term as high commissioner for human rights was extended in 2012 for two years.

The nomination for her successor requires approval by the General Assembly, which is expected.

Prince Zeid, who has been ambassador to both the U.N. and the United States, announced in late April he would resign as UN ambassador. He has represented Jordan on the Security Council, a rotating council seat that expires at the end of 2015.

He was a candidate for secretary-general back when Ban was chosen for the job. In his career, Prince Zeid has built a reputation as being strong on issues such as international justice and sexual violence.

"I think that, given that he comes from Mideast, it brings that advantage and burden in this post," said Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "Obviously a challenge is that he has to be willing to speak frankly about the record of silencing civil society, crushing peaceful protests, which is endemic in that region at this stage."

Syria is a special concern. Hicks said that as ambassador, Prince Zeid has shown interest in addressing "horrific abuses" in the three-year conflict, and he was among the Security Council members pushing for the council's resolution in February on humanitarian access.

Jordan, along with Australia and Luxembourg, has been working on a follow-up draft resolution that would authorize the delivery of humanitarian aid into Syria through four border crossings without approval from the government.

"I hope that he doesn't feel constrained in exercising a very vocal role on that crisis," Hicks said. She added that his Muslim background could help in other crises, such as that of the stateless Rohingya Muslims that have been victims of Buddhist mobs in Myanmar.

Fellow diplomats offered praise Friday "Great choice. A committed defender of human rights and international law," France's Gerard Araud tweeted.
Prince Zeid in April made a powerful speech as the Security Council marked the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, challenging the council and the international community to act on the crisis in Central African Republic, which faces unprecedented violence between Christians and Muslims.

Thousands of UN peacekeepers were approved for Central African Republic after months of council discussion, but they will not arrive until in September.

"It is ... clear we still do not care enough; not enough to act immediately, overwhelmingly, in those cases where an intervention is needed," Prince Zeid said in his speech.

He added, "We need the courage to understand that our methods of work in this Council generate a sense of routine, which is deadening and dangerous."
Jordan this week appointed Dina Kawar as its new representative to the UN , CBC news reported.

Meanwhile earlier this week Inner City Press reported that names of Asma Jahangir and Hina Jilani from Pakistan are also in the pipelines as likely replacements of Pillay. Indonesia's Marzuki Darusman,who was a member of the UN Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka is also in circulation.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 5

Chandran Saturday, 07 June 2014 06:45 AM

Hopefully, the replacement of Navi Pillai will be a good news for Sri Lanka and bad news for LTTE rump as well the human trafficers.

Concerned Saturday, 07 June 2014 06:49 AM

Please consider someone from here. We have so many highly qualified VIP's for that !

Envoy Saturday, 07 June 2014 04:45 PM

Change of pillow is not to help the headache. In the UN there is always consistency in policy decisions. The new envoy is going to follow the same policies. via DM iPad app

mohan Saturday, 07 June 2014 02:43 PM

may be other way around , time to learn geo politics and new world order

Calistus Jayatilleke Sunday, 08 June 2014 11:10 AM

Let Mervyn hurry up and go ahead to tie the knot with Navi Pillai before she rescinds her post.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

UN to tap Jordan's ambassador as new rights chief

Comments - 5

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

New Visa procedure implemented

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings