Irene Khan Assumes Office as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to UN

Internationally recognized human rights advocate Irene Zubaida Khan has officially taken up her post as Bangladesh's new permanent representative to the United Nations. She formally assumed her duties on August 28th by presenting her credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Khan brings a wealth of experience spanning decades in critical areas such as human rights, international law, refugee protection, the rule of law, and sustainable development. Throughout her distinguished career, she has occupied senior positions within the United Nations and various other international organizations.

Her previous roles include serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression from 2020. Prior to that, she was the secretary general of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009, notably being the first woman to lead the organization. From 2012 to 2019, she headed the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) as its director-general.

Before her leadership roles, Khan dedicated 21 years to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). During her tenure there, she held several senior positions, including chief of mission in India and deputy director of the Division of International Protection. Her significant contributions to human rights and peace were recognized with the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize in 2006. She is also the author of 'The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights' and holds law degrees from the University of Manchester and Harvard Law School.