United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has nominated former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet for the top post of High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Secretary General Guterres, following consultations with the chairs of regional groups of member states, on Wednesday informed the UN General Assembly of his intention to appoint Michelle Bachelet of Chile as the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ms. Bachelet was most recently President of Chile between 2014 and 2018, having served previously from 2006 to 2010, the year in which she was appointed the first Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). She also held ministerial portfolios in the Chilean government, serving as minister for defense (2002 2004) and minister for health (2000 2002).

The announcement by the UN chief ended the uncertainty over who would replace Jordan's outspoken Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who is stepping down at the end of the month after a four-year term in the Geneva-based job. The 193-member General Assembly is due to meet on Friday to approve Bachelet's appointment.

Source: International Islamic News Agency