Cerexhe, Carolyn --- "Donald Woods: Still Going Beyond Himself" [2000] HRightsDef 8; (2000) 9(2) Human Rights Defender 16

Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mary Robinson became High Commissioner for Human Rights on 12 September 1997, following her nomination to the post by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and her endorsement by the Organization's General Assembly.

Mrs. Robinson assumed responsibility for the UN human rights programme at a time of great change. As she took up her post in Geneva, the Office of the High Commissioner and the Centre for Human Rights were consolidated into a single Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Under her leadership, the Office has been gearing up to better face existing and emerging human rights challenges, harnessing the energies of new actors in the global quest for a universal culture of respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.

As High Commissioner, Mrs. Robinson has given priority to implementing the reform proposal of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to integrate human rights concerns in all the activities of the United Nations. She is also overseeing a reorientation of the priorities of her Office, which is increasingly focusing its work where it matters most: at the country and regional levels. As part of this focus, she travelled during her first year as High Commissioner to Rwanda, South Africa, Colombia and Cambodia, among other countries. In September 1998, she was the first High Commissioner to visit China, signing an agreement that should lead to a wide-ranging programme of cooperation for the improvement of human rights in that country. Under a similar process, the High Commissioner has sent human rights workers to Indonesia and to countries in Europe and Africa. Mrs. Robinson has also strengthened human rights monitoring in such conflict areas as Kosovo, in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Her Office now has staff monitoring human rights or providing technical assistance in over 20 countries.

Mrs. Robinson came to the United Nations after a distinguished seven-year tenure as President of Ireland. As President, Mrs. Robinson developed a new sense of Ireland's economic, political and cultural links with other countries and cultures. She placed special emphasis during her Presidency on the needs of developing countries, linking the history of the Great Irish Famine to today's nutrition, poverty and policy issues, thus creating a bridge of partnership between developed and developing countries.

Mrs. Robinson was the first Head of State to visit Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide there. She was also the first Head of State to visit Somalia following the crisis there in 1992, receiving the CARE Humanitarian Award in recognition of her efforts for that country.

Before her election as President in 1990, Mrs. Robinson served as Senator, holding that office for 20 years. In 1969 she became the youngest Reid Professor of Constitutional Law at Trinity College, Dublin. She was called to the bar in 1967, becoming a Senior Counsel in 1980, and a member of the English Bar (Middle Temple) in 1973. She also served as a member of the International Commission of Jurists (1987-1990) and of the Advisory Commission of Inter-Rights (1984-1990).

Educated at Trinity College, Mrs. Robinson also holds law degrees from The King's Inns in Dublin and from Harvard University.

Born on 21 May 1944 in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, Mrs. Robinson is married and has three children.

From the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. By request.