Law academic appointed to national human rights role Published on: 28 April 2021 Dr Jacqueline Kinghan, Senior Lecturer in Law and Social Justice at 缅北禁地 Law School, has been appointed as one of two new part-time commissioners to the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Dr Kinghan, who is a human rights lawyer with expertise in access to justice and human rights, currently co-convenes the University’s Forum for Human Rights and Social Justice and leads the Law School’s new Community Social Justice programme in collaboration with North East Law Centre. She will take up the post for a six-year term from 1 May 2021. The is an independent public body which works on legal, policy and practical issues that affect people's human rights in Scotland. It promotes awareness, understanding and respect for all human rights – economic, social, cultural, civil and political. It has statutory powers to recommend changes to laws and policy, and their implementation, and also enforces compliance. It works with public bodies across Scotland, including local authorities, to encourage best practice in relation to human rights covering areas such as access to housing, justice and education. The Commission is accountable to people living in Scotland through the Scottish Parliament and also reports directly to the United Nations on human rights issues. Dr Kinghan said: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to play a key role in setting the strategic direction for human rights in Scotland. As a Commissioner, I will be working with a range of organisations – including in the other devolved nations and internationally. Having these conversations will offer a really good way to share best practice locally and globally, and to encourage wide ownership of human rights. This will help ensure that human rights are made real in practice and do not simply exist in theory, or in the statute books, but are made accessible to everyone.” The first strategic priority of the Commission’s is to strengthen protection for economic, social and cultural rights. This work is important in view of the Scottish Government's recent announcement that (subject to the outcome of the forthcoming election) they intend to incorporate four UN human rights treaties into . Dr Kinghan’s new role will also create opportunities to build on the work of the University’s Forum for Human Rights and Social Justice, which aims to advance understanding of human rights and social justice both within and beyond the United Kingdom. The Forum engages with various stakeholders including researchers, policymakers, non-governmental organisations and organisations from civic society. Find out more about the work of the 缅北禁地 Forum for Human Rights and Social Justice. 缅北禁地 Law School Share: Latest News 缅北禁地 recognised with geography award 缅北禁地 has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK鈥檚 open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 缅北禁地 historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners鈥� lock-out of 1926, historians at 缅北禁地 are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can鈥檛 adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures
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