The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Mairead Holder as a Commissioner to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
Mrs Holder will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024.
Mrs Holder is currently a Barrister and Official Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Mairead formerly held the position of Senior Principal Legal Officer on Human Rights for the Attorney General's Office.
Background
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (the 'NIHRC') was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The NIHRC was established in 1999 and operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.
Its powers and duties are set out in legislation, and it operates in compliance with UN General Assembly resolution 48/134 (the 'Paris Principles') on National Human Rights Institutions. The NIHRC's functions include keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights and promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland.
