Thomas Hammarberg

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Thomas Hammarberg (born 1942 in Örnsköldsvik) is a Swedish diplomat and human rights activist.

He is currently the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He took up his position on 1 April 2006, succeeding the first Commissioner, Álvaro Gil-Robles.

Prior to his appointment, Hammarberg had spent several decades working on the advancement of human rights in Europe and worldwide. He had been Secretary General of the Stockholm-based Olof Palme International Center (2002-05), Ambassador of the Swedish Government on Humanitarian Affairs (1994-2002), the Secretary General of Swedish NGO "Save the Children" (1986-92), and Secretary General of Amnesty International (1980-86).

Between 2001-03, Thomas Hammarberg acted as Regional Adviser for Europe, Central Asia and the Caucuses for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. For several years, he was the Swedish Prime Minister's Personal Representative for the UN Special Session in Children, as well as the Convener of the Aspen Institute Roundtables on "Human Rights in Peace Missions". Between 1996 and 2000, he was Kofi Annan's appointed representative (SRSG) for human rights in Cambodia. He also participated in the work of the Refugee Working Group of the multilateral Middle East Peace Process.

For 25 years, Hammarberg has published widely on various human rights issues, and particularly on the rights of the child, refugee policy, minority issues, xenophobia, Roma rights as well as international affairs and security. He is also well known for his presentations and lectures on human rights at various governmental and academic institutions.

Hammarberg is a strong supporter of Vladimir Putin's policies in Chechnya. In late April, 2008, he visited Russia's Caucasian republics. After wrapping up the week long visit, he said he observed a number of positive developments in Chechnya, and that there was "obvious progress". He also noted that the judicial system in Chechnya was functioning properly. President Putin responded to his comments, saying that the visit was of "great significance", and that Russia will take into account what the council had to say.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Read more here about the mandate of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.

Preceded by Martin Ennals	Secretary-General of Amnesty International 1980–1986	Succeeded by Ian Martin
Preceded by Alvaro Gil-Robles	Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights 2006–present	Succeeded by incumbent