By the end of this month, the UN will have a new human rights chief. It’s sometimes called the UN’s toughest job. Inside Geneva host Imogen Foulkes talks exclusively to the leaders of the world’s top human rights groups, and asks them how they see the job.
Ken Roth, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch: "The High Commissioner has no aid budget, they have no army, they have no way to influence anybody, other than through their public reporting and their public voice."
What’s the legacy of outgoing commissioner Michelle Bachelet?
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General, Amnesty International: "She stood up to the United States on the issue of systemic racism, as she should have."
What about the controversial trip to China?
Ken Roth: "If you look at for example Madam Bachelet’s utter failure during her recent trip to Beijing, the blame really beings with Guterres."
What are the challenges for the new commissioner?
Agnes Callamard: "If you cannot stand up to China, you may as well stop doing human rights work."
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- Email us at insidegeneva@swissinfo.ch
- Twitter: @ImogenFoulkes and @swissinfo_en
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Host: Imogen Foulkes
Production assitant: Claire-Marie Germain
Distribution: Sara Pasino
Marketing: Xin Zhang