Louise Arbour
In: International journal / Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Band 59, Heft 3, S. 681-692
ISSN: 0020-7020
This short biography of Louise Arbour outlines the career, accomplishments, & challenges facing this Canadian jurist who gave up her seat on the Supreme Court to become the UN's new high commissioner for human rights. Born in Montreal in 1947, raised by her mother & crediting a strict Catholic school for girls with formation of her character, Arbour entered the male-dominated legal profession in the 1960's, dabbled with Quebec nationalism, & was heavily influenced by Canada's decision to impose the War Measures Act & martial law in 1970, to which she draws parallels to the current war on terror. She served as chief war crimes prosecutor for Rwanda & Yugoslavia at The Hague, & brings her remarkable professional experience, strength of character, & ability to form good working relationships to her new post, which requires her to be part activist, part diplomat, & part politician. Confronting China & US abuses in the war on terror will be just one of the challenges facing her. L. Kehl