UN rights chief won’t seek second term

26, Dec 2017 | CJP Team

Foreign Policy last week reported that the United Nations’ human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, told staff of the UN human rights agency in an email, which Foreign Policy acquired, that he has “decided not to seek a second four-year term.” Zeid added that “To do so, in the current geopolitical context, might involve bending a knee in supplication; muting a statement of advocacy; lessening the independence and integrity of my voice — which is your voice.” Foreign Policy, in reporting this move, noted that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been hesitant to “speak out on human rights abuses by powerful governments”. According to Foreign Policy, which cited diplomatic sources, Guterres has previously asked Zeid to restrain his criticism of United States’ President Donald Trump, worrying that it could threaten the country’s backing of the United Nations. Zeid’s term is set to end in the summer of 2018, according to Foreign Policy.