High Commissioner

A High Commissioner is an executive serving a committee in a special capacity.

At the United Nations, a High Commissioner serves a commission composed of representatives of various nations. For instance, the U. N. High Commissioner for Human Rights serves the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

In the Commonwealth of Nations, High Commissioner is the title of the person serving as ambassador between two nations within the Commonwealth, which are represented by a High Commission.

This reflects the constitutional development of the former members of the British Empire. In the 19th century, Britain played an active role in the administration though the Governor General. It was only in the early 20th century that the members of the British Empire developed autonomy in foreign policy, and this resulted some of the powers of the Governor General being split off into a High Commissioner.