President Mbeki congratulates Judge Navanethem Pillay

Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki today Wednesday 30 July 2008 congratulated Judge Navanethem Pillay on her appointment as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Describing Judge Pillay as an outstanding South African who has devoted all her life to the struggle for justice, President Mbeki said, “I have no doubt that Navi will bring the same level of dedication and commitment to her work in this new and important capacity that she displayed in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as well as in the International Criminal Court.”

President Mbeki further noted that, “through her work Judge Pillay has become a respected international jurist who, amongst other things, has done pioneering work on the rights of women.” 

“Indeed as South Africans we are also proud of the fact that Judge Pillay becomes the first African woman to occupy the position of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.  On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa I wish to express our appreciation to the UN Secretary-General as well as the UN General Assembly for Judge Pillay’s appointment,” concluded President Mbeki.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

30 July 2008