UN'S NEW HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF SAYS TACKLING RACISM, PROTECTING CIVILIANS ARE
KEY GOALS
New York, Sep 12 2002 5:00PM

The new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de
Mello, started his four-year term in Geneva last week, saying that he wanted to
focus on the protection of civilian populations in conflict as well as the
fight against racism and promotion of women's rights.

"Those are the three huge chapters that require a lot of attention, in
addition to all the geographic hot spots that are well known," Mr. Vieira
de Mello told reporters while attending the flag-raising ceremony at the
UN's headquarters in Geneva for the newest Member State - Switzerland.

Mr. Vieira de Mello succeeds Mary Robinson, who served five years as the UN
official with principal responsibility for the Organization's human rights
activities, under the direction and authority of the Secretary-General and
within the framework of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social
Council and the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights.

The post was created by the General Assembly in the wake of the 1993 UN
Conference on Human Rights, with José Ayala-Lasso - a key negotiator in
that process - becoming the first person to occupy the office on 5 April 1994.

UN News Centre