The member states of the European Union agreed this Monday on the appointment of the Latvian diplomat Ilze Brands Kehris as the new special representative of the EU for Human Rights, replacing the former Dutch minister Kajsa Ollongren, who now holds the position of Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and acts as the 'number two' to the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas.
Brands Kehris will assume the position immediately and will serve her mandate until February 29, 2028. She has extensive experience in the defense of Human Rights, having served as the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights at the United Nations and directed the New York Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from January 2020 to May 2026, according to the Twenty-Seven in a statement.
The new special representative will continue the work of those who preceded her, in order to promote the implementation of the European Human Rights policy and to promote "respect for International Humanitarian Law" and support "international criminal justice."
Among her central tasks will also be to "strengthen the European voice" in the field of Human Rights through dialogue with the governments of "third countries," as well as with international and regional organizations, civil society, and other relevant actors.
To this end, according to the statement, she will develop her work in "close collaboration" with the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU delegations, and the community institutions, with the aim of ensuring the "effectiveness" and "visibility" of the European Human Rights policy in the external action of the bloc.
The Latvian diplomat has also held various positions of responsibility in national and regional entities dedicated to the protection of Human Rights, including the presidency of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.