Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights provides keynote address at NIHRC’s Annual Lecture
The Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, Dr Michael O’Flaherty, has delivered the keynote address at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s Annual Human Rights Lecture.
The event, in partnership with the Bar of Northern Ireland, took place in the Royal Courts of Justice and was opened by Lady Chief Justice the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan.
Dr Michael O'Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe said:
“The model of society based on the interplay of human rights, rule of law and democracy is a notable achievement. However, in Europe and beyond, there has been a worrying retreat from the fundamental principles.
It is crucial for the thriving of our societies to resist the push back, to stand up for institutions that protect us, and to demand and support real leadership that advances human rights, rule of law and democracy.”
Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, said:
“We are delighted to have the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, Dr Michael O’Flaherty, deliver the keynote address at this year’s annual human rights lecture.
The Commission would also like to thank the Bar of Northern Ireland for their continued support of this event, and the Lady Chief Justice the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan for providing the opening address.”
Chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, Donal Lunny KC, added:
“The Bar is pleased to collaborate with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in welcoming Dr Michael O’Flaherty to Belfast and the Royal Courts of Justice.”
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About the Annual Human Rights Lecture
The event took place on 24 February at the Bar Library in the Royal Courts of Justice.
Each year, in partnership with the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission run an annual lecture on human rights issues in the UK with a keynote address from an esteemed speaker which have included Lady Brenda Hale DBE, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore, UN Refugee Agency’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs, Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon), and Philippe Sands QC in recent years.
About Dr Michael O'Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
Dr. Michael O' Flaherty was elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2024. He is the fifth Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The Commissioner's mandate lasts for six years and is non-renewable.
An Irish human rights lawyer, Commissioner O' Flaherty has served as the Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (2015-2023), as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (2004-2012), as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (2011-2013), and in various posts at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, notably in setting up operations in conflict-affected countries such as Sierra Leone and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Commissioner O'Flaherty has held professorships of human rights at the Universities of Nottingham (U.K.) and Galway (Ireland), where he has also led their Human Rights Centres. He is currently Adjunct (Honorary) Full Professor at the University of Maynooth and at University College Dublin. He has published widely in the field of human rights.
About Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
The NI Human Rights Commission is a statutory public body established in 1999 to promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. In accordance with the Paris Principles the Commission reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of measures undertaken by the UK Government to promote and protect human rights, specifically within Northern Ireland.
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