UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet will not seek 2nd term

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) – UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Monday she will not stand for a second four-year term for the position she has held since 2018.

"I will not be seeking a second term after my mandate expires on the 31st of August this year," Bachelet told journalists outside the chamber where the Human Rights Council meets.

Bachelet said her decision was not due to criticism after a trip to China that looked at the plight of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. The May 23-28 visit was the first of its kind in 17 years by a UN rights chief.

"Two months ago, I went to New York, and had a meeting with UN secretary-general where I indicated to him that I was not willing to seek a second term," said the 70-year-old two-time former president of Chile.

"I always read when people criticize. I listen, and that's part of my life … Having been president twice, I have received a lot of criticism in my life. So that's not what makes me make certain decisions."

In a tweet, she said she is not seeking a second term for "personal reasons."

"Today, I briefed @UN_HRC, opening my last session as High Commissioner. I will not be seeking a second term for personal reasons," she said. "It is time to go back to Chile & be with family. I urge States to identify common ground to achieve solutions to our shared human rights challenges."

In her speech to the Council, Bachelet said her office was working on an updated assessment of the human rights situation in Xinjiang, where there are widespread allegations that Uyghurs have been unlawfully detained at places Beijing calls "vocational training centers." China, however, denies all accusations of abuse.

Bachelet was elected the president of Chile from 2006 to 2010, and 2014 to 2018 and was the first female to hold the post.​​​​​​​