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Women's Commission Mourns the Loss of Sergio Vieira de Mello

New York, NY

It is with great sorrow that the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children learned of the death of Sergio Vieria De Mello, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Iraq and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr. Vieira de Mello had a long and distinguished career at the United Nations, including service as the Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees. His career took him to many war-torn and troubled regions, including Sudan, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, East Timor and finally, Iraq. He was always a dedicated and passionate voice for the world's displaced peoples, including refugee women and children. The Women's Commission will miss his leadership on refugee and human rights issues and his deep commitment to women and children in need worldwide.

The international community has lost a great man and will mourn his loss, made only more tragic by the senseless act of violence which caused it.

Refugee Expert Arthur C. Helton also killed

Another good friend of the Women's Commission, Arthur C. Helton, was also killed in the attack. Helton, Director, Peace and Conflict Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, was a noted legal expert on refugee and immigration issues and advised the Women's Commission on a number of projects and initiatives.

"We appreciated his willingness to help out, as well as his keen intellect and wry wit," says Women's Commission Executive Director, Mary Diaz. "Refugees around the world have lost an important advocate."

The Women's Commission offers condolences to the families of all those killed at UN headquarters in Iraq.