Sérgio Vieira de Mello
Sérgio Vieira de Mello | |
|---|---|
Vieira de Mello c. 2002 | |
| 3rd United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights | |
| In office 12 September 2002 – 19 August 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Mary Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Bertrand Ramcharan (acting) |
| East Timor UN Transitional Administrator | |
| In office 25 October 1999 – 20 May 2002 | |
| Preceded by | José Abílio Osório Soares (as Governor of East Timor) |
| Succeeded by | Xanana Gusmão (as President of East Timor) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 March 1948 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Died | 19 August 2003 (aged 55) Baghdad, Iraq |
| Cause of death | Killed in the Canal Hotel bombing |
| Spouse |
Annie Personnaz
(m. 1973; sep. 1986) |
| Domestic partner | Carolina Larriera (2001–2003) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Federal University of Rio de Janeiro University of Paris (Sorbonne) University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
| Awards | Order of the Two Niles (1973) |
Sérgio Vieira de Mello (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈsɛʁʒju viˈejɾɐ dʒi ˈmɛlu]; 15 March 1948 – 19 August 2003) was a Brazilian United Nations diplomat who worked on several UN humanitarian and political programs for over 34 years. The Government of Brazil posthumously awarded the Sergio Vieira de Mello Medal to honor his legacy in promoting sustainable peace, international security and better living conditions for individuals in situations of armed conflict, challenges to which Sérgio Vieira de Mello had dedicated his life and career.
He was killed in the Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq along with 20 other members of his staff on 19 August 2003 while working as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the rank of Under-Secretary-General, and United Nations Special Representative for Iraq. Before his death, he was considered a likely candidate for UN Secretary-General.