Past High Commissioners

Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Chile, 2018-2022

Michelle Bachelet assumed her functions as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 September 2018.  Ms. Bachelet was the seventh High Commissioner. Read more

Mr. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, Jordan, 2014-2018

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein assumed his functions as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 September 2014, following the General Assembly’s approval on 16 June 2014 of his appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General. He was the sixth High Commissioner to lead the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the first Asian, Muslim and Arab to do so. Read more

Ms. Navanethem Pillay, South Africa, 2008-2014

The appointment of Navi Pillay as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was approved by the General Assembly on 28 July 2008. She took up the post on 1 September 2008. Her mandate was renewed for two years beginning on 1 September 2012. Read more

Ms. Louise Arbour, Canada, 2004-2008

Louise Arbour was appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights by the Secretary-General and approved by the General Assembly, effective 1 July 2004. Read more

Mr. Bertrand Ramcharan (Acting High Commissioner)

Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan was Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Assistant Secretary-General when Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, then High Commissioner, was killed on 19 August 2003 during the attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. Dr. Ramcharan then assumed the post of acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, which he held until July 2004, when a new High Commissioner, was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. Read more

Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, Brazil, 2002-2003

Sergio Vieira de Mello appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 12 September 2002. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1948, Sergio Vieira de Mello joined the United Nations in 1969 while studying philosophy and humanities at the University of Paris (Panthéon-Sorbonne). Read more

Mrs. Mary Robinson, Ireland, 1997-2002

Mrs. Mary Robinson became the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 12 September 1997, following her nomination to the post by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the endorsement of the General Assembly. She assumed responsibility for the UN human rights programme at the time when the Office of the High Commissioner and the Centre for Human Rights were consolidated into a single Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Read more

Mr. José Ayala-Lasso, Ecuador, 1994-1997

José Ayala-Lasso became the first United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 5 April 1994. He was appointed for a four-year term by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the unanimous approval of the General Assembly. Mr. Ayala-Lasso held the post as High Commissioner until he resigned on 15 March 1997 after he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of his native country, Ecuador. Read more