Prof Frans Viljoen elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

The  Global Campus of Human Rights is glad to announce that Professor Frans Viljoen, Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, was appointed to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. The appointment was announced on 11 October 2021 at the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, composed of 18 experts, has been established to function as a think-tank for the Council and work at its direction. The Advisory Committee replaces the former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. The Committee held its first meeting in August 2008. It meets twice a year, for one week in February immediately before the March session of the Council and for one week in August.

The following three experts were elected as members of the Advisory Committee by acclamation: Frans Jacobus Viljoen (South Africa) from the Group of African States; José Augusto Lindgren Alves (Brazil) from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States; and Vassilis Tzevelekos (Greece) from the Group of Western European and other States. Nurah Maziad S. Alamro (Saudi Arabia) was elected by secret ballot as the member from the Group of Asia-Pacific States.

Lloyd Kuveya, Assistant Director of the Centre for Human Rights congratulated Prof Frans Viljoen on his appointment by the Human Rights Council and said that "this is well deserved recognition for one of Africa's eminent human rights experts. We wish him well in this exciting role.

Dr Solomon Dersso, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights commented: "Congratulations to Prof Frans Viljoen, an exceptional leader in human rights scholarship and advocacy with lasting contributions in the field, particularly in Africa!”.

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