By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : The UN General Assembly confirmed South African judge Navanethem Pillay as the new High Commissioner for Human Rights for a four-year term.
The appointment was made under general consent. Thus, there was no need for the 192 UN member states to vote.
Pillay, 67, is replacing Canadian Louise Arbour, who held office until July 1 and declined to continue in the position.
We hope the new commissioner preserves independence of her office and continues working closely with the General Assembly, stated UN Secretary–General Ban Ki-Moon.
South African ambassador to the United Nations Dumisani Kumalo thanked confidence in his fellow countrywoman.
The magistrate had been a member of the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, since 2003 and was the first woman appointed judge of South Africa’s Supreme Court.