Internationally recognized human rights figure Irene Zubaida Khan has assumed office as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

She formally assumed the role by presenting her credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday local time (August 28).

Khan brings decades of international experience across human rights, international law, refugee protection, the rule of law, and sustainable development.

Throughout her career, she has held significant responsibilities within the UN and various international organizations.

Since 2020, Khan has served as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Prior to that, she served as the Secretary-General of Amnesty International from 2001 to 2009, making her the first female Secretary-General in the organization's history.

From 2012 to 2019, Khan served as Director-General of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).

Before that, during a 21-year career at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she held key positions including Chief of Mission in India and Deputy Director of the Division of International Protection.

In recognition of her contributions to human rights and peacebuilding, Khan was awarded the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize in 2006.

She is the author of the acclaimed book The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights. She pursued her higher education in law at the University of Manchester and Harvard Law School.