Thai Ambassador Named UN Human Rights Chief

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva, was named the fifth president of the U.N. Human Rights Council June 21. He succeeds Alex van Meeuwen of Belgium.

The 47-member council was created in 2006 to replace the U.N. Commission on Human Rights and tackles human rights violations worldwide.

Phuangketkeow announced that his leadership will focus on how members can take advantage of their “rich diversity” to foster unity in addressing key human rights issues.