The investigator, to be named in April, will serve for three years and report back to the 53-nation commission on the extent of the problem -- including rape of women and sexual slavery in wartime -- and ways to combat it.


The proposal attracted an extraordinary groundswell of support in a body which is frequently split by political bickering. More than 60 countries -- including those which are not members of the commission -- signed up to the motion. It passed by consensus Friday.


The commission's seven-page resolution called for "the elimination of gender-based violence in the family, within the general community and where perpetrated or condoned by the state." It also demanded a "particularly effective response" to human-rights violations against women during armed conflict, "including in particular murder, systematic rape, sexual slavery and forced pregnancy."


The resolution also called for the eradication of gender bias in the administration of justice and the safeguarding of women's rights from religious extremism.