Former Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet to be next UN human rights chief: Details

Former Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet to be next UN human rights chief: Details, Profile, About

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has chosen former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to be the UN’s new human rights chief.

Michelle Bachelet would be succeeding Jordanian diplomat Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who had been one of the most outspoken critics of abuses by the governments in many countries.

UN Chief Guterres informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Bachelet as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right after consultations with the Chairs of the regional groups of Member States.

Michelle Bachelet’s name will now go forward for consideration and approval by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Michelle Bachelet (66-year-old) has served as the President of Chile twice, from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018. Her second four-year term as President ended earlier this year.

Michelle Bachelet was the first woman in her country to occupy the top position and is known to be a strong advocate for women’s rights.

Michelle Bachelet after her first term, she was chosen to be the first-ever Executive Director of the UN gender equality and women empowerment office, UN-Women, between 2010 and 2013.

In December 2013, Michelle Bachelet was re-elected as the president of Chile with over 62 percent of the votes being in her favor. With this, she became the nation's first president to be re-elected since 1932.

Michelle Bachelet prior to her Presidential position, Bachelet held several ministerial portfolios in the Chilean Government including Minister of Defence (2002-2004) and Minister of Health (2000-2002).