The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is one of the most important officials in the UN system. Aside from the Secretary General, possibly no other position has such a significant public profile, offering such a powerful platform to speak out against injustice.
It is clear that the qualities of the individual to be appointed – their moral standing, personal courage and public profile – will be crucial to making it a success.
The problem is that, under the current system, there is next to no public consultation or transparency over how these appointments are made. We, the peoples, are expected to put our full trust in the outcome of back-room talks between unelected officials, and to support the outcome without question.
Under Kofi Annan, the previous Secretary General, a simple step had been taken to improve this situation: the public announcement of short-lists for major posts.
Ban Ki-moon appears to have abandoned that practice, and once more we face the situation of quiet consultations, limited briefings to certain NGOs, and an arcane interview process – followed by the announcement of a single candidate. Their name will be presented to the General Assembly for a rubber stamp. No public hearings, no debate.
This does not appear a healthy way to decide on these officials, who have a major impact on people’s lives.
Avaaz hopes that with our ad in the economist, and with this forum, we might generate some public debate over the qualifications for this most crucial of posts, and the candidates under discussion.
