Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed former Supreme Court justice and international war crimes prosecutor Louise Arbour as the country’s new governor general.

Arbour previously served as a UN human rights commissioner and led prosecutions for war crimes in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

She will act as King Charles III’s representative in Canada, succeeding Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person in the role.

Carney said her appointment reflects strong institutions and Canada’s commitment to global justice and democracy, The Guardian has reported.

Arbour, who has also worked on military and justice reforms, said she accepts the position with a “deep sense of duty” to uphold Canada’s constitutional system.