NIHRC pays tribute to outgoing Chief Commissioner

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has paid tribute to outgoing Chief Commissioner Les Allamby, whose term at the helm comes to an end this week.

Chief Executive David Russell said:

“I would like to thank Les on behalf of the NIHRC for his leadership over the last seven years and for the enormous contribution he has made to protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. This has included supporting action to secure the rights of women and girls to access free and safe abortions; being a strong voice for the introduction and retention of a mitigations package in response to social security reforms; challenging the disproportionate retention of individuals bio-metric data and overseeing investigations into emergency healthcare provision and Travellers' accommodation.

The last few years have been particularly challenging with the NIHRC taking on a new role to ensure no-diminution of rights following the UK withdrawal from the EU and responding to the COVID19 pandemic. As Chief Commissioner Les has always been a strong advocate and demonstrated how the practical application of human rights can effect positive change in our society. We look forward to building on the work he has done over his term and wish him the best for all of his future endeavours.”

ENDS

Notes

1. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body first proposed in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement (1998) and established in 1999 by the Northern Ireland Act (1998). It is answerable to Parliament at Westminster.

2. Les Allamby was appointed Chief Commissioner in 2014 for a five-year term. In 2017 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland appointed Les for an additional two-year term.

3. The new incoming Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick will begin a five-year term on 1 September 2021. Statement: Human Rights Commission welcomes appointment of new Chief Commissioner