Sérgio Vieira de Mello
- Born:
- March 15, 1948, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Died:
- August 19, 2003, Baghdad, Iraq
- Nationality:
- Brazilian
- Profession(s):
- United Nations Diplomat, Humanitarian
Early Life and Education
- Attended the Lycée Franco-Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro.
- Studied philosophy and humanities at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.
- Earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Sorbonne.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the United Nations in 1969.
- Served in numerous peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Bangladesh, Sudan, Cyprus, Mozambique, and Peru.
- Held senior positions at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- Served as the UN Transitional Administrator in East Timor from 1999 to 2002, leading the territory to independence.
- Appointed United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2002.
- In 2003, appointed as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq.
- Died in a terrorist bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.
Notable Works
- Extensive work with refugees and displaced persons.
- Leadership in the transition of East Timor to independence.
- Advocacy for human rights and humanitarian principles.
Legacy and Impact
Sérgio Vieira de Mello is remembered for his dedication to humanitarian work, his leadership in conflict resolution, and his commitment to human rights. He left a lasting impact on the United Nations and the world. The Sergio Vieira de Mello documentary on Netflix provides further insight into his life and career.