Chile's Michelle Bachelet to Be New UN Human Rights Chief

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By Associated Press

August 8, 2018 at 4:18 PM UTC

Updated on

August 9, 2018 at 1:31 AM UTC

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United Nations (AP) -- Secretary-General Antonio Guterres selected Chile's former President Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday to be the next U.N. human rights chief, a high profile and often controversial job that has sparked criticism from governments targeted for rights abuses.

Guterres sent a note to the General Assembly announcing his choice of Bachelet and urging approval by its 193 member states. Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak followed up, sending letters to all U.N. ambassadors saying a meeting will take place Friday morning to vote on her nomination, which is virtually certain to be approved.