In the first of two successful grant applications, HRIC has secured £150,000 from the Oak Foundation for a period of three years. This will be used to fund the costs of a research associate to continue with the Centre’s work into OPCAT (the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture) and with its implementation agenda more broadly. Rachel Murray, Professor of International Human Rights in the School of Law and HRIC Director, said: ‘We are very grateful to the Oak Foundation for supporting the work of the Centre. The funding ensures we can maintain our key staff members and also frees up money in the budget to hold some high-level events and produce some vital publications and other advice.’

A second boost for HRIC comes in the form of funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to hold a seminar on capacity building for national human rights commissions in North Africa during times of conflict and in post-conflict situations. In collaboration with the Egyptian Council of Human Rights, the African Network of National Human Rights Institutions and the National Institutions Unit of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, HRIC will organise an event bringing together the national human rights commissions, and representatives from governments and civil society from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia to discuss strategies for working in conflict and post-conflict situations. The event will take place in Egypt before the end of the year.

Professor Murray said: ‘We are delighted that the FCO is funding this important event at such a crucial time. We hope that the seminar will provide an opportunity for the various human rights organisations across North Africa to find practical tools for working in conflict and post-conflict situations.’

HRIC brings together academics from a range of disciplines to develop expertise on the role institutions can play in monitoring the implementation of human rights by working with human rights organisations, national institutions, and governments from all over the world. HRIC also works with regional and inter-governmental bodies such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and relevant mechanisms of the United Nations.

For further information, please contact Professor Rachel Murray at Rachel.Murray@bristol.ac.uk.