Statement Ministry for Foreign Affairs 28 July 2008
Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt on the UN's decision to appoint new High Commissioner for Human Rights

"Sweden welcomes the appointment of the South African judge Navanethem Pillay as new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commissioner plays a very important role as a clear and independent voice calling for all people to be able to enjoy their human rights, and for efforts to promote these rights to run through the whole spectrum of the UN's work.

"Navanethem Pillay has long and extensive experience of human rights and justice work, both in her home country South Africa, and in more recent years as an international judge at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and at the International Criminal Court.

"I look forward to close cooperation with Ms Pillay, in the same way as we had with her predecessor. The Government will continue to provide active support to the High Commissioner for Human Rights," concludes Carl Bildt.