High Commissioner for Human Rights Welcomes Appointment of Yash Ghai as Special Representative for Human Rights In Cambodia

2 November 2005

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, welcomes the appointment of Yash Ghai of Kenya as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia on 1 November 2005. Mr Ghai's appointment follows the resignation of Mr. Peter Leuprecht who served in the post from 2001 to 2005.

The High Commissioner joins the Secretary-General in expressing gratitude to Mr. Leuprecht for his dedication and commitment with which he fulfilled his mandate.

A distinguished academic and renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ghai currently serves as the Sir YK Pao Professor of Public Law at the University of Hong Kong where he teaches human rights and public law. The High Commissioner extends her full support to Prof Ghai in his new role as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia.

The mandate of the Special Representative was established by Resolution 1993/6 of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights. Since then it has been renewed every year, and most recently by Resolution 2005/77 adopted on 20 April 2005.