Two new human rights commissioners appointed

Two new Commissioners, with a strong track record of protecting human rights in practice, have been appointed to the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

Susan Kemp and Dr Alan Mitchell have been appointed for six year terms from 1 May 2015.

Susan Kemp is an international human rights lawyer with wide-ranging experience of investigating human rights abuses. Dr Alan Mitchell is a practising GP with extensive expertise in providing medical services to people in places of detention.

The appointments follow an open appointment process by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

Both part time, the new commissioners will take up their posts as two of the Commission’s current members, Professor Kay Hampton and Shelagh McCall, come to the end of their appointments. Matt Smith OBE, appointed in September 2010, will continue as part time Commissioner until September 2016.

Professor Alan Miller, chair of the Commission, commented: “Human rights in Scotland are at an important junction, with both opportunities and challenges on the near horizon. Matt Smith and I look forward to working with Susan Kemp and Alan Mitchell to lead the next stage of the Commission’s work to realise human rights for everyone in Scotland.

“The contribution that Kay Hampton and Shelagh McCall have made to advancing human rights in Scotland since their appointments in 2008 has been tremendous. The effort, energy and expertise they have brought to their role as commissioners has been instrumental in establishing the Scottish Human Rights Commission as an accredited A-status national human rights institution, and in developing and launching Scotland’s first ever National Action Plan for Human Rights.”