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Letter
to Secretary-General Kofi Annan Regarding Appointment of New UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights
June 21, 2002
via fax: 212-963-5077
Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
Re: Appointment of Judge Navanethem Pillay
as High Commissioner for Human Rights
Dear Mr. Secretary-General:
We are writing to urge you to appoint the Hon.
Navanethem Pillay, currently serving as judge and President of the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, to succeed Mary Robinson as High
Commissioner for Human Rights in September 2002.
In these times, it is especially critical that this post
be filled with someone with a personal history of and deep commitment to human
rights. Judge Pillay is imminently qualified to assume this position. Her
record as a legal advocate and judge on the South African Supreme Court and
the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda speaks for itself.
At a time when even basic human rights are under attack
from many directions, it is imperative that the United Nations be seen to meet
the challenges. The appointment of Judge Pillay would confirm in a direct and
profound way that the United Nations will continue to prioritize human rights
standards and implementation.
Respectfully yours,
Pam Spees
Program Director
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