Indian appointed head of Amnesty International

London, Feb 2: Salil Shetty, an Indian who headed the UN Millennium Campaign, has been appointed as next Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"I feel privileged to be given this amazing opportunity at a time when the world needs human rights for all more than ever before," said Shetty, who becomes the first Indian to head the human rights body.

Shetty, who is the Chief Executive of international anti-poverty NGO ActionAid, has been the Director of the UN's Millennium Campaign for the last six years.

Shetty takes over the job in June 2010, succeeding Irene Khan who stepped down after eight years as Amnesty Secretary General Dec 31, 2009.

Amnesty International, founded in London in 1961, has more than 2.2 million members and supporters in more than 150 countries.

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