Chile’s Ex-President to Rise to UN Human Rights Mission

United Nations General Assembly met on Friday and approved Michelle Bachelet's appointment as the world body's new human rights chief.

The former president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, was chosen by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to replace Jordanian diplomat Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, who will step down from the post at the end of the month after a four-year term, France24 reported.

The UN Human Rights High Commissioner is the principle official who speaks out for human rights across the whole UN system. Key duties are described as "strengthening human rights mechanisms, enhancing equality, fighting discrimination in all its forms, strengthening accountability and the rule of law, widening the democratic space and protecting the most vulnerable from all forms of human rights abuses."

Bachelet's predecessor, al-Hussein, was noted for being outspoken. He regularly criticized US President Donald Trump's policies and government, most recently over the decision to separate young children from their parents in a crackdown on immigration.

It is likely Bachelet will not shy away from confronting the hard issues either. During her Chilean presidency, she was noted for pushing for a more radical tax-and-spend agenda. But she is first and foremost a women's rights champion and this will be central to her manifesto in her new UN position.