Dutch government honors outgoing UN human rights chief

August 15, 2018 at 5:05 a.m. | Updated August 15, 2018 at 4:55 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2018, file photo, U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein pauses during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. Zeid defended his outspoken criticism of rights abuses in dozens of countries from Myanmar and Hungary to the United States on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, insisting that his office doesn't "bring shame on governments, they shame themselves." Zeid stressed at a farewell press conference at U.N. headquarters that "silence does not earn you any respect - none." (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2018, file photo, U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein pauses during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. Zeid defended his outspoken criticism of rights abuses in dozens of countries from Myanmar and Hungary to the United States on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, insisting that his office doesn't "bring shame on governments, they shame themselves." Zeid stressed at a farewell press conference at U.N. headquarters that "silence does not earn you any respect - none." (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - The Dutch government is honoring the outgoing U.N. human rights chief with one of its most prestigious awards.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that it will present Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein the Human Rights Tulip award at a ceremony next month.

Zeid, a Jordanian diplomat and member of the country's royal family, has served four years as the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. His term ends Aug. 31.

He has faced criticism for calling out human rights violators, but Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said Zeid's "independent, critical stance was necessary because human rights are under great pressure in many places around the world."

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has been appointed to succeed Zeid.

The award ceremony will be held Sept. 3 in The Hague.

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