On 19 October 2026, the Council of the European Union (EU) appointed Ilze Brands-Kehris as the EU Special Representative for Human Rights. Following this decision, 2 of the 11 EU Special Representative posts are now held by representatives from Latvia.
The EU Special Representative works to advance the objectives of the EU’s human rights policy. The aim of the EU Special Representative is to enhance the EU’s effectiveness, presence and visibility in promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, in particular by deepening cooperation and political dialogue with third countries, international and regional organisations, civil society and other partners, as well as by participating in international forums; to contribute to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide; as well as to contribute to improving the coherence and consistency of the EU’s action in the field of human rights and integrating human rights into all areas of the EU’s external action.
Ilze Brands-Kehris is an experienced and internationally recognised human rights expert. From 2020 until June 2026, she served as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Human Rights. From 2017 to 2020, Ilze Brands-Kehris served as an independent expert on the UN Human Rights Committee. From 2002 to 2011, she headed the Latvian Centre for Human Rights. Ilze Brands-Kehris has also held senior positions at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, and the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.
The EU has 11 Special Representatives who support the work of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas. Following this appointment, 2 of the 11 EU Special Representative posts are held by representatives from Latvia. Latvian diplomat Eduards Stiprais has been serving as the EU Special Representative for Central Asia since March 2025.