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.”
More
More
Human Rights Council meets again after Russia was kicked off
This content was published on
The UN Human Rights Council begins meeting in Geneva on Monday with a range of country reports and issues on its packed schedule.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Switzerland is Europe’s most innovative country, EU study finds
This content was published on
In the European Commission's annual ranking, the Swiss score dropped slightly in 2025, but not enough to cost it top spot.
Women’s Euro 2025 has been largely peaceful so far
This content was published on
After two weeks of football fever in various Swiss host cities, no major incidents have been reported so far, police say.
Planned solar park at Bern airport scaled back after talks
This content was published on
The ground-mounted plant at Belpmoos Airport will be smaller than originally planned, the parties involved said on Tuesday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
UN rights chief in China: walking a tightrope between engagement and risk
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
Michelle Bachelet to become first UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit China since 2005 during a six-day official mission.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.