During a Council meeting, Bachelet also expressed concern about the Brazilian elections and structural racism.
Michelle Bachelet says she will not seek second term as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (UN) is concerned about the constant threats made to environmentalists and indigenous people in Brazil. Despite not having mentioned the recent event, involving the indigenist of the National Indian Foundation (Funai), Bruno Pereira, and British journalist Dom Phillips, she spoke about the country this Monday, 13, during the opening of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. “I am alarmed by threats against human and environmental rights defenders and against indigenous peoples, including contamination from exposure to illegal gold ore,” she declared. “I ask the authorities to guarantee respect for fundamental rights and independent institutions,” she added.
Last week, when the disappearance of Pereira and Phillips was reported, Bachelet had already criticized the Brazilian government’s response to the situation, saying that local authorities were extremely slow to start carrying out the searches. During her speech, she also drew attention to other topics such as: threat of attacks on legislators and candidates for elections in Brazil, particularly blacks, women and LGBTQIA+ people, and recent cases of police violence and structural racism that take place in the country. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also asked for a fair and transparent process in Brazilian elections and that “there is no interference from any party so that the democratic process is achieved”.
In addition to talking about her concerns about Brazil, Bachelet also announced that she will not seek a second term as head of UN Human Rights. “As my term as high commissioner comes to an end, the 50th session of the Council will be the last I express myself,” the 70-year-old former Chilean president told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. At first, Bachelet did not reveal details about the reasons for her decision. But during a press conference, she said she warned her “boss” Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, two months ago. “He wanted me to stay, but (…) I am no longer a young woman and after a long and rich career, I want to return to my country, with my family,” she explained.
Source: Jovempan
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