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VIEW ALLBaroness Helena Kennedy QCIt is an enormous pleasure to welcome Mark Stephens to the role of Co-Chair of IBAHRI. Mark is a renowned and highly respected international lawyer and has been a long-time committee member and friend of the Institute. His wisdom and experience have been a huge resource to us already and we look forward to working closely with him over the next years.
Director of the IBAHRI
Howard Kennedy Partner Mark Stephens has been appointed Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI).
Mark, who was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011 for his ground-breaking work defending human rights and freedom of expression, joins existing Co-Chair Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc, the Immediate Past Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, in heading up the IBAHRI. His tenure is for the calendar years 2022 and 2023. He succeeds the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia.
On his appointment, Mark commented: "I have throughout my career sought to promote and protect human rights and this is at the core of what I do. I am deeply honoured to be asked to serve as Co-Chair of the IBAHRI which, as part of the world’s leading organisation of international legal organisations, provides the platform to help promote and protect human rights and professional independence worldwide".
Anne Ramberg commented: "I am very pleased that Mark Stephens, an experienced lawyer and prominent advocate in the field of human rights, has accepted to take on the challenge to succeed the eminent Michael Kirby as co-chair of IBAHRI. I very much look forward to continuing to work with Mark in his new capacity."
Prior to becoming Co-Chair of the IBAHRI, Mark held the position of Vice Chair, and is a member of the IBAHRI Council. In addition, he has held/holds several significant positions at the IBA:
- Legal Practice Division (LPD) Council, Member, 2019-2022
- Media Law Committee Advisory Board, Member, 2020-2021
- IBAHRI, LPD Representative, 2017-2018
- Art, Cultural Institutions and Heritage Law Committee, Chair, 2015-2016
- Art, Cultural Institutions and Heritage Law Committee, Senior Vice Chair, 2013-2014
- Art, Cultural Institutions and Heritage Law Committee, Vice Chair, 2011-2012
- Media Law Committee, Chair, 2007-2009
- Media Law Committee, Senior Vice Chair, 2005-2006
For more information, please see the full press release from IBAHRI here.