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With Agnès Callamard, a French woman takes the head of Amnesty International

2021-03-29T10:25:36.224Z


Agnès Callamard, until now UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, has become secretary


French human rights expert Agnès Callamard has been appointed secretary general of Amnesty International, the London-based organization announced on Monday, which has offices in more than 70 countries.

“The combination of her intellectual acuity, her extensive international human rights experience and her courageous voice make her highly qualified to defend our movement,” said Sarah Beamish, President of the International Council, in a statement.

Appointed for four years, Agnès Callamard succeeds the interim secretary general, Julie Verhaar.

Until then the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, she had investigated the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and explained in a tweet last Friday that it had attracted threats of Saudi Arabia, which the kingdom denied.

1 / The #SaudiArabia threat against me was brazen, it took place in a high level diplomatic setting and it was made public, confirmed by the UN.

But such threats, far greater daily intimidation and violence stalk all those on the front lines of human rights advocacy.

https://t.co/ra7aKHEGys

- Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) March 26, 2021

"Where governments and businesses seek to silence those who speak out against their abuses, cover up the truth and undermine or reject human rights standards, Amnesty International's rigorous investigations and hardline campaigns are more essential than ever" , said Agnès Callamard, quoted in the press release announcing her appointment.

Already passed through the NGO

Agnès Callamard had already worked for Amnesty International from 1995 to 2001, in particular as chief of staff to the secretary general at the time, Pierre Sané.

She had conducted human rights surveys in more than 30 countries and published numerous articles on human rights, freedom of expression and even refugee movements.

"The appointment [of Agnès Callamard] follows a vast global recruitment process," said the NGO.

In December 2019, its secretary general, Kumi Naidoo, had to resign for health reasons.

He had been replaced by Julie Verhaar.

Source: leparis

All news articles on 2021-03-29

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