Navigating the Tightrope of a UN Independent Mandate

Part of the Rewley House Lecture Series 

The United Nations human rights work is upheld through the efforts of various independent experts, whose pro bono services seek to underscore the impartiality and independence of its human rights oversight. 

This lecture from Professor Nazila Ghanea explains the role of these experts and examines the balance to be struck in their work, including between independence and relevance, impartiality and robust reporting. 

This free lecture is open to all, and is designed for researchers from all disciplines and members of the public.

About the speaker

Nazila Ghanea is Professor of International Human Rights Law and Director of the MSc in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford (Department for Continuing Education from 2007-2022 and since in the Faculty of Law). Prior to that, she was Senior Lecturer at the University of London, graduate teaching assistant at Keele University and a lecturer in the People’s Republic of China.

She has researched and published widely in international human rights law including as co-author of 'Freedom of Religion or Belief: An International Law Commentary' (OUP). She has held prestigious fellowships and been awarded a range of research grants and prizes for academic publications. 

Though her nearly 30-year career has been rooted in academia, her academic work has regularly contributed to multilateral practice in international human rights law. Since August 2022 she has served as UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, which is an appointment made by the UN Human Rights Council. 

• Find out more about Professor Nazila Ghanea

Rewley House Lecture Series

This free lecture is part of the Rewley House Lecture Series. These lectures provide an opportunity to experience the extraordinarily diverse research interests of academics from across and beyond the Department, and to participate in multidisciplinary debate.