Director of Liberty to give views on human rights after election

30th April 2015

One of the country's leading human rights activists will hold court on a range of issues from human rights to the results of the general election, at an In Conversation event at Sheffield Hallam University next month.

Shami Chakrabati will launch Justice Talks, a series of In Conversation events held by the University's Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, on Wednesday 13 May. Shami, the director of Liberty and an honorary graduate of the University, will talk about the charity's work in tackling human rights issues across the world, and her first book On Liberty. And, with the balance of power in Westminster still potentially undecided by the time she gives her talk, she will throw fresh light on how the result could affect human rights and politics. She will be In Conversation with Sital Dhillon, the director of the Helena Kennedy Centre. Shami has been director of Liberty, the National Council for Civil Liberties, since September 2003 and has written, spoken and broadcast widely on the importance of the post-World War Two human rights framework as an essential component of democratic society. In 2011, Shami was invited to be one of six independent assessors advising Lord Justice Leveson in his Public Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the UK Press. She was also chosen as one of eight Olympic Flag carriers at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. Her first book, On Liberty, was published in October 2014. Sital said: "We are thrilled that Shami Chakrabati will continue her long association with the University in this Justice Talks event. She will discuss a variety of topics related to human rights, justice and Liberty and, with the General Election so fresh in the memory, it will be great to hear her illuminating views on what the result means for human rights, justice and democracy." The In Conversation tales place at the Heart of the Campus, Collegiate Crescent, on Wednesday 13 May at 2.30pm. Tickets are free but must be booked through the website, www.shu.ac.uk/justicetalks. Other Justice Talks events scheduled for this year include Sir Trevor Philips, former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, in October. For press information: Laurie Harvey in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 2621 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk