The Commission welcomes Ian Duddy as new Chair

The Scottish Human Rights Commission warmly welcomes Ian Duddy, who takes up his new appointment as Chair of the Commission today.

Ian Duddy joins the Commission from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, where he led the Human Rights & Rule of Law Department, working on a variety of themes including justice, war crimes, modern slavery, freedom of expression, religious freedom and the European Court of Human Rights.

He is also a former UK ambassador and led the UK team at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva from 2011 to 2016, working closely with civil society, governments and national human rights institutions.

Dr Anna Black, Commissioner at the Scottish Human Rights Commission, says:

“We are pleased to announce that Ian Duddy takes up his new post as Chair of the Commission today. Scotland is at a crucial and transformative juncture when it comes to strengthening the laws that protect everyone’s rights, and ensuring these laws are meaningful in practice in people’s lives. There is much to contribute and we warmly welcome Ian as he begins to lead the Commission’s vital work forward.”

Ian Duddy says:

"I’m delighted to start my new role as Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Working on human rights issues has been my passion for the last 20 years and I look forward to playing my part in promoting and protecting human rights in Scotland."

For media enquiries, please contact elizabeth.dawson@scottishhumanrights.com or 07876 817978.

ENDS

Notes to Editors 

  1. The Scottish Parliament passed motion S6M-03488 on Wednesday 9th March, nominating Ian Duddy to Her Majesty The Queen for appointment as the next Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, a six-year term of office.
  2. The Scottish Human Rights Commission is a body corporate established by the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006. It has a general mandate to promote and protect human rights in Scotland. The Commission is an independent public body and a National Human Rights Institution, accredited with A Status within the United Nations human rights system.