New Commissioners bring significant expertise to Commission

Three new part-time Commissioners have been appointed to the Scottish Human Rights Commission, bringing with them experience and expertise in justice, social care and human rights.

Following an open appointment process by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, Claire Methven O’Brien, Jim Farish and Shelley Gray have been appointed for six year terms and will take up their positions later this month.

Claire Methven O’Brien has worked internationally as a human rights researcher, practitioner and advocate for more than 20 years and currently holds teaching and other positions at the University of Dundee, the University of Strathclyde Business School, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Jim Farish is currently a board member of the Risk Management Authority having retired from the Scottish Prison Service in 2020. During his prison service career he held a number of senior positions including having been Governor of four prisons and he was also seconded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland, where he held the position of Deputy Chief Inspector.

Shelley Gray has 20 years’ experience in the third sector in roles spanning engagement, policy and strategy development and she is currently Head of Policy and Communications at Corra Foundation, where she has a focus on human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion and racial justice.

Dr Anna Black, appointed in May 2021, will continue as part-time Commissioner until 2027.

Ian Duddy, Chair of the Commission, said:

“This is a crucial time for human rights in Scotland. The development of a new human rights Bill for Scotland is on the horizon and with that comes a pressing need to ensure this leads to real changes in practice and access to justice for people in everyday life. We look forward to welcoming Claire Methven O’Brien, Jim Farish and Shelley Gray to their posts as Commissioners and to benefiting from their expertise and experience.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Judy Fladmark on 07880 398530 or judy.fladmark@scottishhumanrights.com

Notes to editors:

  1. The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent public body with a statutory remit to promote and protect all human rights for everyone in Scotland. The Commission is accredited as an ‘A Status’ national human rights institution within the UN system.
  2. Part-time Commissioners are appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body through an open and independent process. 
  3. Claire Methven O’Brien has worked internationally as a human rights researcher, practitioner and advocate for more than twenty years. Claire currently holds teaching and other positions at the University of Dundee, the University of Strathclyde Business School, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
  4. Jim Farish is currently a board member of the Risk Management Authority having retired from the Scottish Prison Service in 2020. During his prison service career he held a number of senior positions including having been Governor in Charge of four prisons, most notably having led the implementation project for and being the inaugural Governor of HMP Grampian in Peterhead. He was also seconded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland, where he held the position of Deputy Chief Inspector.
  5. Shelley Gray has twenty years’ experience in the third sector in roles spanning engagement, policy and strategy development. She is currently Head of Policy and Communications at Corra Foundation, where she has a focus on human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion and racial justice. She was instrumental in establishing the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) and prior to that worked alongside children and young people at Children in Scotland.