SA activist appointed to top role at global human rights organisation
GLOBAL human rights movement Amnesty International has appointed Kumi Naidoo as its next secretary-general.
From August next year, the Durban-born Naidoo will succeed Salil Shetty‚ who served two terms from 2010.
“His vision and passion for a just and peaceful world make him an outstanding leader for our global movement‚ as we strengthen our resolve for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all‚” Amnesty International board chairwoman Mwikali Muthiani said of Naidoo.
The organisation said the secretary-general was the leader and main spokesman for Amnesty International and the chief executive of its International Secretariat.
Amnesty International is the largest human rights movement globally‚ with a global presence including offices in more than 70 countries‚ 2 600 staff and seven million members‚ volunteers and supporters worldwide.
Naidoo is an activist and civil society leader.
His previous leadership roles include executive director of Greenpeace International‚ chairman of the Global Call for Climate Action‚ founding chairman of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, and secretary-general and chief executive of CIVICUS‚ the World Alliance for Citizen Participation.
He currently chairs three startup organisations in South Africa – Africans Rising for Justice‚ Peace and Dignity; the Campaign for a Just Energy Future; and the Global Climate Finance Campaign.
Naidoo holds a BA in Law and Political Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and a DPhil in Politics (University of Oxford).
“I have been an activist and campaigner all my life‚ so I am excited to be joining the world’s largest people movement for human rights at a time when we need to counter increasing attacks on basic freedoms and on civil society around the globe,” he said.
“This means adapting to a fluid fast-changing global environment with urgency‚ passion and courage.
“Amnesty International’s campaigns for justice and equality today are more urgent than ever‚ and I am humbled and honoured to be leading the organisation in these challenging times.”
Shetty said: “I am delighted to hand over the reins when for the first time in Amnesty International’s history‚ we have both the secretary-general and board chair[woman] from Africa.”
Naidoo’s appointment is for a four-year term.