The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, says she will not seek re-election for another term, but denied the decision was motivated by criticism of her recent controversial visit to China.
Bachelet made her announcement at the end of a speech to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
Bachelet said her decision was motivated by a desire to spend more time with her family in Chile and that she had informed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres two months’ ago.
During her speech on Monday, Bachelet said an updated assessment of the human rights situation in China would be released before she steps down in August.
UN Secretary General Guterres paid tribute to Bachelet who “has been on the frontlines of the human rights struggle all her life. She has moved the needle in an extremely challenging political context – and she has made a profound difference for people around the globe.”
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The UN Human Rights Council begins meeting in Geneva on Monday with a range of country reports and issues on its packed schedule.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
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The Swiss economy is growing slightly faster than expected, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
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The House of Representatives on Wednesday cut the foreign aid budget by CHF250 million ($282 million) in favour of the army.
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The 13th old-age pension payment will be paid out as planned from December 2026, the Swiss Senate confirmed on Wednesday.
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Around 1,000 Swiss farmers took part in a protest action near Bern on Tuesday, calling for less administrative work, more planning security and fairer prices.
UN appeals for more funds to assist 305 million people in need
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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 305 million people will need aid in 2025.
Swiss authorities release right-to-die activist in Sarco ‘suicide capsule’ case
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Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria
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The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.
Poll: right-wing Swiss People’s Party enjoys growing support among population
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If national elections had been held in Switzerland last month, the right-wing Swiss People's Party would have won, and increased its share of votes by 2% compared to the 2023 federal elections.
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Swiss Black Friday revenues failed to live up to retail expectations. But sales throughout the week proved more successful.
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The Swiss army will have CH 530 million more than expected for armaments investments after a parliamentary chamber approved the increase.
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UN rights chief in China: walking a tightrope between engagement and risk
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Has UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's visit to China achieved anything, or has she put her credibility at risk?
Human rights chief ends China visit, saying it was not a probe
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet ended a visit to China on Saturday, stressing it was “not an investigation”.
Uyghurs in focus as UN human rights chief visits China
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Michelle Bachelet to become first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit China since 2005 during a six-day official mission.
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