Irene Khan to be made UN representative

The government has decided to appoint Irene Khan, a prominent international human rights advocate and former secretary general of Amnesty International, as Bangladesh’s next Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

According to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Irene Khan is expected to assume her post in New York ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) session.

The appointment is part of the government’s ongoing diplomatic reshuffle.

Khan is one of Bangladesh’s most internationally recognised figures. She served as Secretary General of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009, later became Director-General of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and has been serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression since 2020.

Officials believe her extensive international experience, long-standing work on human rights and deep engagement with the UN system will strengthen Bangladesh’s diplomatic presence in New York.

The appointment is seen as particularly significant as Bangladesh is set to assume the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly this year.

Khan will succeed Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, the current Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York.