SAfrican lawyer named as UN rights chief
Updated
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has named South African judge Navanethem Pillay as the world body's new human rights chief.
Ms Pillay, who is currently a judge at the International Criminal Court inThe Hague, succeeds outspoken Canadian Louise Arbour.
As a lawyer in South Africa, Ms Pillay defended anti-apartheid activists and championed the right of Nelson Mandela and other dissidents to legal assistance.
The UN General Assembly will meet on Monday to confirm her appointment.
UN officials say there is virtually no chance she would be rejected.
