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A human rights expert from The University of Nottingham topped the poll in elections to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee.
Professor Michael O'Flaherty received the support of 136 out of the 157 governments participating in the election. The other eight successful candidates had total votes ranging from 86 to 117.
He was elected on nomination of the Government of Ireland and will serve in his second term as Committee member until 31 December 2012.
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The UN Human Rights Committee comprises independent experts, who assess how states are meeting their obligations under the UN’s major human rights treaty, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Welcoming the emphatic re-election, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin T.D., said: “He has served with great distinction during his first term on the Committee and can now make a further valuable contribution. Michael O’ Flaherty will continue to bring to the role a wealth of practical experience and a wide knowledge of human rights issues. He will also be an independent and impartial voice as required by the Covenant.”
Professor O’Flaherty holds the first chair of Applied Human Rights in the world, and is Co-Director of the University’s internationally renowned Human Rights Law Centre.
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 70 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings.
It provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy).
Its students are much in demand from 'blue-chip' employers. Winners of Students in Free Enterprise for four years in succession, and current holder of UK Graduate of the Year, they are accomplished artists, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, innovators and fundraisers. Nottingham graduates consistently excel in business, the media, the arts and sport. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree completion rates are amongst the highest in the United Kingdom.