Professor Aoife Nolan elected President of the European Committee of Social Rights

On 26 January, Aoife Nolan, Professor of International Human Rights Law and Director of the Human Rights Law Centre in the School of Law, was elected unanimously as President of the European Committee of Social Rights. Professor Nolan will lead the Committee in its work in representing and defending the European Social Charter.

The Committee is a body of the Council of Europe tasked with monitoring the honouring of commitments entered into under the Charter by the State Parties. It uses two complimentary mechanisms: a procedure for collective complaints, which can be submitted by social partners and non-governmental organisations; and through national reports submitted by the State Parties.

Professor Nolan has been a member of the Committee since 2017. She has significant experience and extensive expertise in the field of economic and social rights, which have been a focus of her research and policy engagement activities throughout her academic career.

Commenting on the election, Professor Olympia Bekou, Head of the School of Law, said:

‘I am delighted that Aoife has been elected by her colleagues as President of the European Committee of Social Rights. She brings expertise, leadership and legal acumen to the role, which will be invaluable for the Committee, particularly over the next 2 years. The impact of the COVID19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis will present significant challenges for the Committee and we wish Aoife and her colleagues all the best. As a School, we will do all we can in supporting her to fulfil this role successfully’.