‘We live in a world where exposure to environmental hazards—including polluted air, contaminated water, and other toxic substances—cause the premature deaths of more than ten million people annually and harm the health of hundreds of millions more. Worse yet, climate change and the decline of Earth’s life support systems threaten the health and well-being of billions of people today and in the future. To address these daunting challenges, the new High Commissioner must prioritize greater attention to human rights and the environment. In particular, Michelle Bachelet should be a vocal champion for the global recognition of the human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Emphasising the fundamental interdependence of human rights and the environment is absolutely essential to the successful achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.’

‘I would like to congratulate Michelle Bachelet on the appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights. Norway is firmly committed to strengthen the OHCHR and to be a valuable partner for the new High Commissioner. The world will look to the new High Commissioner for a strong voice and leadership to prevent and respond to violations of human rights. Human right defenders deserve an independent High Commissioner that stands up for their rights and advocates for them. We trust that the High Commissioner will work closely with States, civil society, academics and the business sector to promote and protect human rights. Through extensive partnerships, we trust that she will ensure that strategies and policies to implement the 2030 Agenda are human rights-based and that human rights are integrated in all UN operations. We look forward to cooperating with the new High Commissioner.’

‘The appointment of the new High Commissioner comes at a time; when human rights norms are under attack from the right, left and centre – the ideals of globalization, multiculturalism and free market as well as principles of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal treatment are being attacked in all corners of the world. There is no respite from new and existing conflicts that continue to wreak havoc in the lives of affected peoples, minorities and communities. From Rohingya refugees facing institutionalized discrimination; Kashmiri and Palestinian people vying for their right to self-determination; African migrants dying to secure better futures; to growing artificial divides created by far-right politicians on the basis of racial and religious identities, our world is facing growing intolerance as well as new and contemporary forms of discrimination. Faced with challenges of such magnitude, the best course of action for the new incumbent would be to resort to the foundation principles and ideals of her office rooted in the VDPA. Ms Bachelet’s leadership credentials have been successively tested, approved and admired both by the people of Chile and those who worked with her in the UN Women. So, when she takes over as the HCHR, it is hoped that she will live up to her reputation and tackle the mentioned challenges with her signature charisma, objectivity and independence.’

'Michelle Bachelet’s proven commitment to human rights, her courage and determination will be fundamental to lead the High Commissioner’s office in these difficult times of rising populism, strong opposition to and serious violations of human rights that are occurring around the globe. I trust that she won’t shy away from difficult issues and will ensure universality, inalienability, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelation of all human rights. I trust that women and girls’ rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, will be high on her agenda. She made history when removing Chile’s draconic laws on women’s access to safe abortion. I count on her leadership and support to ensure that the rights of women and girls to have control over their own bodies and to make decisions concerning their reproduction free from coercion, discrimination and violence becomes a reality in every part of the world. I warmly welcome Michelle Bachelet as new High Commissioner for Human Rights and look forward to working with her and her team. '

‘More than ever since the articulation of the UDHR and the establishment of the international legal architecture, it is crucial to recover the sense that human rights are not merely external, negative constraints on States, but rather, that they can play positive, problem solving role. The human rights community needs to be more attentive to issues of implementation. We have ended up in a position in which it is easy for others to dismiss us as ‘utopian,’ being very good at offering reminders of legal obligations, and, at best, describing desirable end states, but having very little to say about how to get ‘from here to there.’ For OHCHR this is a particularly serious challenge. It can only be met by seriously changing the narrative of human rights. Rather than a mere rhetorical change, it involves developing competencies that will make OHCHR be seen by other UN agencies, Member States, and Civil Society Organisations as a source of solutions, as a partner in the development of human rights policies. The role of OHCHR as custodian of norms at this juncture can only be played effectively by demonstrating ability in the more difficult task of making norms effective.’

'Cooperation between all stakeholders in the field of human rights, at national, regional and international level, is important to ensure a better implementation of human rights norms with the view to having the best result on the ground. When the desire and the willingness of all stakeholders to commit themselves to the respect of human rights are strong there is a need to work together and try to establish good partnership to achieve common goals. It is crucial that all parties concerned by the promotion and protection of human rights trust each other, as this would help achieve the expected progress in this field. Without trust and without the desire to work together to have the same understanding or at least to bridge the differences, it would be very difficult to advance the cause of human rights. This is why it is important to give enough space for dialogue and to listen carefully to each other, as much as possible, to better serve the cause of human rights, and also to determine jointly the best cooperation that is needed. '

‘I warmly congratulate Ms Bachelet on her appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights and I look forward to working with her in the coming years. Increasingly human rights discussions are politicized and polarized and under pressure around the world. Clearly the new High Commissioner will have the difficult task to build constructive partnerships with all States, civil society, academics, and business enterprises. The Kingdom of the Netherlands believes strongly in the independence of the High Commissioner and OHCHR, and we thus expect Ms Bachelet to be principled and courageous, to speak out when needed and to act in response to violations and abuses of universal human rights, wherever they occur. She can count on my country’s full support!’

'I wish to congratulate Ms Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as new High Commissioner for Human Rights. I am convinced that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights under her competent leadership and guidance will continue to uphold its crucial mandate to promote and protect human rights. The world is changing and human rights principles are under growing pressure. Let me take this opportunity to emphasize Denmark’s strong and continuous support for the Office and its mandate. Denmark is running for a seat in the Human Rights Council for the term 2019-2021 – our candidature is based on the principles Dignity, Dialogue and Development and we will do our part to stand up for human rights.'

‘OHCHR’s work on Sri Lanka, especially since 2012, has generated fresh hopes for truth, accountability and reparations, and has kept Human Rights Council members informed and pushed them to do what is right. The OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka, and your predecessor’s reports to the Human Rights Council, have been crucial to give a voice to survivors, victim’s families and affected. They have also been crucial in eliciting ambitious commitments from the Sri Lankan government, although these have hardly been fulfilled after three years. I hope you will encourage and work with Council members to continue the engagement on Sri Lanka. For OHCHR and the Council to lessen its attention at this stage would be serious mistake, and would let down survivors, victim’s families and affected communities. Specifically, I hope you can encourage and support the Human Rights Council to find modalities to ensure Sri Lanka remains on the agenda of the Council beyond March 2019, with comprehensive monitoring and regular reporting by OHCHR. We also hope you will continue the advocacy by your predecessors, for the Sri Lankan government to fully implement the commitments they have made, and to call for states to exercise universal jurisdiction.’

‘Singapore warmly congratulates Ms. Bachelet on her appointment as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We are confident that the OHCHR will benefit from her leadership and extensive experience in politics and the UN system. Singapore is a strong supporter of the UN and the rules-based multilateral system. We hope that the OHCHR under her leadership will engage all stakeholders, in particular small States, in a constructive and cooperative manner, bearing in mind their specific national contexts and circumstances. In Geneva, Singapore is playing a leading role in the Forum of Small States – an informal grouping of more than 100 countries established more than 25 years ago to share information informally, foster better cross-regional understanding and to learn from each other’s experience. We hope that Ms Bachelet will actively engage FOSS to promote and protect the human rights of their citizens.’

‘The High Commissioner needs to think broadly and engage in policy discussions across the UN system, on issues including peace operations, migration, drugs and Artificial Intelligence (AI). A lot of governments are questioning whether UN peace operations devote too much time to promoting human rights and the rule of law. Ms. Bachelet needs to make a strong case – tied to the Secretary-General’s “Action for Peacekeeping” Agenda – about why her office should be at the centre of the UN’s conflict work. The High Commissioner should pay close attention the new Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration. OHCHR must forge a strong partnership with UNHCR, IOM and other UN agencies to address the abuses millions of migrants and refugees endure. Ms. Bachelet could also consider intervening in UN discussions of drug policy, which encourage heavy-handed control efforts linked to human rights violations, before the 2019 session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Looking deeper into the future, Ms. Bachelet should ensure that she has a prominent voice in evolving UN discussions of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies, which are rapidly opening up a host of new challenges to human rights and norms of international governance.

‘Fiji welcomes the appointment of the new High Commissioner, Ms Michelle Bachelet. We look forward to continuing work with her Office on a number of important fronts including on climate change and human rights, prison reform, the training of judges and magistrates on child sensitive court processes, and on the implementation of Fiji’s commitments made at the Universal Periodic Review. We also take this opportunity to again emphasise the importance of inclusivity and diverse representation at the Human Rights Council, and of ensuring a strong and principled voice from Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In this regard we note the significance of the SIDS/LDC’s Trust Fund administered by the OHCHR and look forward to its continuation and growth. It plays a significant role in promoting the Human Rights Council as a representative body, and in translating international human rights into domestic law and policy.’

'Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, founding Executive Director of UN Women, and International Gender Champion will be an extraordinary High Commissioner of Human Rights. Her personal experience as political prisoner and a Head of State, feminist, doctor, diplomat, and leader will serve her, and the world, well in this role. We expect that she will advocate for a more equal, just society, with particular attention to the most marginalized amongst us which, unfortunately and disproportionately, means women. In these turbulent times there is opportunity for politically savvy, highly principled, fearless leaders to weave the fabric between siloed agendas on human rights, climate change, health, trade, technology to help build innovative bridges to the well-being, peace and rights we all deserve. Our hope is that Ms Bachelet will welcome women human rights defenders, amongst the most ferociously courageous people in the world, to come speak, meet and influence Geneva; and that she will meet with women’s rights defenders in her travels so that their powerful stories of strength, indomitability and leadership are told. Immensely proud that Ms Bachelet became an Honorary International Gender Champion whilst President of Chile, we are even prouder that she is joining the International Gender Champion network of female and male decision-makers dedicated to breaking down gender barriers as the High Commissioner of Human Rights. We at Women@theTable wish her the greatest success in her incredibly challenging job, and promise our passionate support and engagement for her term in this deeply important global role.'

‘We all want to enjoy freedom and dignity, and to live in communities that are fair, just and sustainable. Human rights defenders are the people and organisations that advocate and organise to make this a reality. They work to ensure every person has access to quality education, a decent job, secure housing, a healthy environment and a doctor when we’re sick. They work to ensure that none of us are harassed, imprisoned or even killed because of what we say or believe, whom we love, or the colour of our skin. Supporting and empowering these defenders – and protecting them against those governments, corporations and fundamentalists whose currency is prejudice, profit or privilege – should be the new High Commissioner’s highest priority. She should consult closely with defenders; speak out and pursue accountability when they are attacked; push for laws and mechanisms to protect them at the national level; and ensure that the UN human rights system is safe, accessible and effective for them. Making human rights a reality for all depends on the work of defenders. With freedom and dignity under attack, the High Commissioner, her Office and human rights defenders should be the closest of allies’

‘We live in troubled times where human rights and the human rights framework itself are under serious attack, with authoritarian populists eroding the universality of human rights norms. Defenders, victims, and people around the world will be looking to High Commissioner Bachelet to be a steadfast voice in the defence of human rights, and to call out violators clearly and publicly, even when it’s unpopular with governments. Human rights violations do not happen in a vacuum - the High Commissioner has a unique role to play in bringing specific country situations of concern to the attention of the UN Human Rights Council, particularly situations that receive limited attention because of political pressures. We also urge the new High Commissioner to be a staunch defender of the rights of human rights defenders, both on the ground and at the UN, calling out violators and encouraging investigations into attacks and reprisals against individuals cooperating with the UN and its mechanisms.’

'The new High Commissioner undoubtedly takes office at a time of great challenges, from the way we promote and protect human rights, to those facing the multilateral system in general. As any other issue on the UN's agenda, human rights should be tackled horizontally – the UN should take advantage of the vast amount of information and knowledge of the Office, and use it to the benefit of all. We hope that the new High Commissioner takes advantage of the Human Rights Council, which should serve as space for continuous dialogue and cooperation. Our expectations are high and so are the stakes. High Commissioner Bachelet proved herself as a true UN leader in the past, and we are sure she will rise to the challenge once more. '

‘Je tiens à féliciter Madame la Présidente Bachelet pour sa nomination au poste de Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits d’Homme. Sa prise de fonction coïncide avec une période de défiance à l’égard du multilatéralisme et une remise en question non seulement du caractère universel des droits de l’Homme mais jusqu’au bien-fondé même de leur existence. Dans un tel contexte, il s’agira pour Madame la Haut-Commissaire de repenser en profondeur la manière de protéger et promouvoir les droits de l’Homme, de développer une véritable stratégie pour les remettre au centre des préoccupations de la Communauté Internationale et, plus largement encore, de les (ré)enraciner dans le quotidien des 7,5 milliards de personnes qu’ils ont pour vocation de protéger. Je suis convaincu que le talent et les compétences que Madame Bachelet a pu démontrer dans ses fonctions antérieures, à la tête de son pays comme à l’échelle internationale, témoignent de son leadership pour relever ces défis. Elle pourra compter sur le soutien actif de l’OIF et du groupe francophone.’

‘That the new High Commissioner should be a champion for human rights is obvious. But it is neither a novel suggestion nor a particularly useful policy prescription. The High Commissioner’s mission is to promote and protect human rights. To do so, she has limited tools at her disposal. Her voice is one tool, of course, and it brings moral authority. But she also holds a senior UN position, which brings bureaucratic authority and diplomatic access, and she has over 1,000 staff, which – though still overly concentrated in Geneva – increasingly bring experience and dedication to the mission. And lastly, she sits atop the UN human rights machinery, comprising in total hundreds of mandate-holders. They are independent, but the High Commissioner is their spiritual leader and the source of their practical support. It serves no purpose to debate which of these tools deserves priority, as all are essential. Rather, the challenge for the new High Commissioner is to use all of these tools strategically, so that they are mutually reinforcing and working to achieve a common plan, both globally and as regards specific regions and countries.’

‘Human rights are universal. This is the reason why all mechanisms that address human rights must be truly inclusive. The Universal Periodic Review offers the possibility for even the smallest nations of the world to focus their attention on human rights both within their boundaries and beyond. It is thus important that their participation be encouraged and supported. In recent years, this has been made possible through two Trust Funds that are operated by OHCHR. The active participation of LDCs/SIDS has been invaluable in bringing new perspectives in the deliberations of the Council. As all countries are entering the third cycle of the UPR, it is widely accepted that this cycle should focus on implementation of recommendations from the first two cycles. LDCs and SIDS have pleaded for technical cooperation and capacity building to enable them to meet their human rights commitments, but OHCHR has not been in a position to respond favourably to many of the requests. Budgets for technical cooperation and capacity building need to be increased to ensure that countries with the political will do not fail to put legislation and mechanisms in place to protect human rights. This indeed would be important in addressing the prevention mandate of the Council. The new High Commissioner should be a strong voice to advocate for technical assistance to LDCs and SIDS. The recent impetus in this direction should be continued and intensified.’

‘I warmly welcome Michelle Bachelet to her new role as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and look forward to working with her as the ICJ has with her predecessors, since we helped lead the campaign to create the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1964. It is my hope that she will build upon the legacy of these predecessors, and in particular the late Kofi Annan, in helping us develop the concept of the rule of law and its inextricable link to human rights at a time when the very notion of the rule of law in international relations is under attack. We also expect High Commissioner Bachelet to work with her colleagues in other parts of the United Nations to ensure the success of the Human Rights Up Front initiative in ensuring that human rights remain at the forefront of the entire United Nations system, even as OHCHR now often carries all the responsibility — and pressure — for championing human rights while receiving a fraction of the necessary funding and institutional support. The ICJ looks forward to supporting High Commissioner Bachelet’s efforts to protect human rights defenders, particularly those from the most vulnerable and marginalised communities.’