FORMER Action Aid executive Salil Shetty has been named as Amnesty’s next secretary general.

Shetty, an Indian national, will begin the role in June 2010, following a string of roles in the charity sector, most notably as director of the United Nations’ Millennium Campaign for the past six years.

Peter Pack, chair of Amnesty’s International Executive Committee, said: “We are thrilled that Shetty will be joining us and leading Amnesty International as we renew our fight to end injustice by campaigning for those imprisoned because of their ideas, those on death row, those being tortured, and those who have their rights denied because they live in poverty.”

With Amnesty approaching its 50th anniversary, Pack has ambitious plans to expand the charity’s work to the southern hemisphere, and believes Shetty will be able to do the job at hand.

“Shetty has a solid track record in mobilizing people, civil society, governments and international organizations in the fight for people's rights and dignity. He's absolutely the right person to take Amnesty International into the next stage of our work,” says Pack.

Regarding being selected to head the international organization, Shetty commented: “I feel privileged to be given this amazing opportunity at a time when the world needs human rights for all more than ever before.”

Shetty will succeed Irene Khan, who stepped down from the role on December 31, 2009, after eight years of service.