IBAHRI—Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC has been appointed as director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI).

Founded in 1995 under the honorary presidency of Nelson Mandala, the IBAHRI has been led since 2013 by Dr Phillip Tahmindjis AM, who is retiring from the Institute after 16 years and will be succeeded by Baroness Kennedy in January 2019. A British barrister, broadcaster, and Labour member of the United Kingdom's House of Lords, Baroness Kennedy is a member of Doughty Street Chambers and has acted in a host of prominent cases over the last 30 years. She is also a past co-chair of the IBAHRI, as well as the UK member of the IBA's Task Force on Terrorism in 2002.

Baroness Kennedy commented: 'I feel very honoured and excited to be taking on this new role. The IBA constitutes almost 200 bar associations and more than 80,000 individual lawyers from across six continents that include the world's most significant international law firms. It is a truly global force, with formidable heft across all areas of law and unmatched convening power in the legal profession and beyond. Its groundbreaking Human Rights Institute is one of its great achievements and to lead it is truly a privilege.’

IBA president Martin Šolc added: ‘'I am delighted that, in this year of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Helena Kennedy QC is becoming the new Director of IBAHRI. At a time when the rule of law, ergo human rights, are universally under threat, the appointment of Baroness Kennedy is of paramount importance. Her unflinching advocacy and passion for justice for all and for equal and just societies will bolster lawyers everywhere to protect human rights.'