Galway native appointed new Professor of Human Rights

The renowned UN human rights expert, Professor Michael O’Flaherty, has been appointed as Professor of Human Rights Law at the National University of Ireland Galway. 

Prof. O’Flaherty will also serve as Director of the University’s Irish Centre for Human Rights and will combine the new roles with his current commitment as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

During the period that Prof. O’Flaherty remains at the Northern Ireland Commission, the Irish Centre for Human Rights will be co-directed by Prof. Ray Murphy.

Since October 2011, Prof. O’Flaherty has been Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The commission advises the government and is responsible for protecting and promoting human rights throughout Northern Ireland.

A native of Galway, Prof. O’Flaherty has a distinguished reputation in the human rights arena. Since 2004, he has been an elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and is currently a Vice-Chairperson. He is also a member of the UN Expert Group on Human Rights Indicators, serves on a number of human rights advisory bodies of the UK government and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

Prior to taking up his posts at the University of Nottingham, he served in a number of senior positions with the United Nations. He established the UN human rights field missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994 and Sierra Leone in 1998 and subsequently guided UN headquarters support to its human rights programmes across the Asia-Pacific region.

Welcoming the announcement, NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne, said Prof. O’Flaherty brings an outstanding reputation to the School of Law and Irish Centre for Human Rights.

“Building on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor, Prof. Bill Schabas, who retains an important connection with the centre, Prof. O’Flaherty will continue to develop the global reputation of the centre for high quality academic programmes, leading edge research and engaged advocacy,” said