SECRETARY-GENERAL’S STATEMENT ON TERM OF HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Following is the text of a statement made today in Nairobi by Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

As you know, Mary Robinson's term of office expires this September, and she had announced two weeks ago that she would not seek a second term.� That was a source of great regret, not only to me, but to everyone concerned with human rights.� Many governments, as well as representatives of civil society around the world, have urged her to reconsider.

She and I met in Geneva last week, and again yesterday here in Nairobi, where we are both attending the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) -- the twice-yearly meeting of all the executive heads of the United Nations system.� We discussed the timing of her departure, and I am delighted to say that I have prevailed on her, subject to approval by the General Assembly, to stay on for one more year.

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