Neither Fish nor Fowl: The Quest to Define the Role of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Abstract

In March 1997 the first United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) resigned, after almost three years in office. Assessments of the importance of the post vary greatly. Some have seen it as merely 'a small step forward for human rights', while others have portrayed it as 'symbolizfing] humanity's aspiration to achieve greater dignity for all human beings'. In announcing the appointment of a new HCHR, in June 1997, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that it was 'one of the most important appointments that I will probably have the opportunity of making .. .' Amnesty International had earlier suggested, somewhat hyperbolically, that the appointee 'will shape the next century's human rights agenda.. .' The analysis that follows seeks to take stock of the achievements and shortcomings of the HCHR at a time when the baton is passing from Jos£ Ayala Lasso, a cautious, low-profile, but very senior Ecuadorean diplomat, to Mary Robinson, an experienced human rights lawyer and former President of Ireland. The principal focus of the article is on the extent to which the nature of the office and the appropriate role to be played by its incumbent have been clarified by the experience to date.