South African named UN commissioner for human rights

South African judge Navanethem Pillay was named Thursday as the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, culminating a remarkable ascent for a lawyer who was once barred from entering a judge's chamber during South Africa's apartheid era because of the color of her skin.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon nominated the Harvard-educated Pillay, 57, to serve a five-year term as the top U.N. advocate for human rights. She will replace Louise Arbour, a former Canadian Supreme Court justice, once her nomination is confirmed Monday by the General Assembly.