General Assembly Session 56 meeting 109

The Acting President

By its resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, the General Assembly decided to create the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Secretary-General proposes, in the light of the provisions of resolution 48/141 set out in his note, to appoint Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello of Brazil as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for a term of office of four years beginning on 12 September 2002 and ending on 11 September 2006.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to approve the proposal of the Secretary-General contained in document A/56/109?

The Acting President

By acclamation of the General Assembly, the proposal of the Secretary-General to appoint Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has been approved.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Mr. Moura (Brazil)

The appointment of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello as High Commissioner for Human Rights augurs well for the continuation of the outstanding work of the United Nations in the promotion and protection of human rights. For Brazil, it is an honour and a source of great satisfaction that one of its nationals should be assigned such an important responsibility.

Sergio Vieira de Mello needs no introduction. His important achievements in East Timor and at the helm of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are only the latest examples of a long career devoted to the realization of the values enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Mr. Vieira de Mello is rightly recognized as an efficient administrator, a skilful negotiator and a committed individual. He is also known for his high moral stature and for being identified with humanitarian causes. There is no doubt that he will put all those qualities at the service of the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development.

We wish Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello every success in his new position, and we assure him of Brazil's support and cooperation in the discharge of his important mandate.

My delegation would also like to express its deep appreciation for the invaluable work that Mrs. Mary Robinson has done as High Commissioner for Human Rights. During her five years in office, Mrs. Robinson contributed to heightening the level of attention paid to the plight of victims of abuses and human rights violations.

The Acting President

I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark, who will speak on behalf of the European Union.