UNITED NATIONS, March 3 (UPI) -- Sources close to U.N. human rights chief Louise Arbour, who was sometimes in conflict with U.S. officials, said she will end four years of duty on June 30.
Arbour, whose formal title is U.N. commissioner for human rights, didn't confirm the reports but expressed frustration with the fight for international human rights, saying the U.S.-led counter-terrorism effort set back the human rights agenda by "decades," The Washington Post said Monday.
Her supporters said she focused more on the prohibitions against torture, often treading lightly on the human rights abuses reportedly conducted under the eyes of the Chinese and Russian governments.
Arbour said her less-than-vocal opposition to rights abuses is a reflection of her preference for one-on-one talks that would "yield some positive results."
Her sway in the United Nations has dropped since Kofi Annan left the top seat at the international body.
Arbour said she is stepping down to spend more time with her family. She also may be avoiding a political showdown at an anti-racism meeting in South Africa that Western critics say will be a forum against Israel.
