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Jordanian Diplomat Nominated As Next UN Human Rights Chief


The current UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, is stepping down in September.
The current UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, is stepping down in September.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has nominated Jordan's ambassador to the United Nations as the next UN high commissioner for human rights.

Ban Ki-moon’s office announced on June 6 that Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al Hussein -- a longtime diplomat and former UN peacekeeper – is Ban’s choice to replace Navi Pillay, whose term at the post is due to end in September.

Prince Zeid has previously served as Jordan’s ambassador to the United Nations, the United States, and Mexico.

He also was a political affairs officer at UNPROFOR, the UN peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia, during the Balkan conflict.

UN diplomats say they expect Prince Zeid's nomination to be approved by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Russia's UN envoy, Vitaly Churkin, has welcomed Ban’s decision – calling Prince Zeid "a good candidate" and "the right man for the job."
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

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