PRESIDENT OF CHILE TO ADDRESS SPECIAL MEETING OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON 4 JUNE

1 June 2007

The Human Rights Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, 4 June to hear an address by Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, who will speak about Chile’s position on the importance of strengthening the system of the promotion and protection of human rights.

Ms. Bachelet is also expected to speak about issues relating to forced disappearances, racism, and the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as national efforts of the Government of Chile to promote and protect human rights.

The special meeting will start at 3:30 p.m. in Salle XVIII. It will be opened by Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico, the President of the Human Rights Council. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, and Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will also address the meeting.

The Human Rights Council will hold its fifth regular session from 11 to 18 June at the Palais des Nations, following which it will conclude its first year of work.


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For use of the information media; not an official record