New Permanent Observer for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Presents Letter of Appointment

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

The new Permanent Observer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to the United Nations, Laura Olson, presented her letter of appointment to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

Prior to her appointment at IFRC, Ms. Olson was Director of the Human Rights Programme at the Carter Center.  She also held senior positions in the United States Government, including Immigration Section Chief in the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security and Senior Policy Adviser to the United States Department of State Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure.

Before joining the United States Government, Ms. Olson held various positions in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including as legal adviser to its Regional Delegation in Washington, D.C.

A graduate of the University of Iowa in the United States with a master’s in philosophy and a juris doctor degree, Ms. Olson also holds a master’s in law in international studies from New York University School of Law, also in the United States.

A national of the United States, she speaks French and German and has a basic knowledge of Russian.