Michael O'Flaherty to become new FRA Director

"It is with great pleasure that FRA’s Management Board announces the appointment of Michael O'Flaherty as the next FRA Director," said FRA Management Board Chairperson Frauke Lisa Seidensticker. "His profound human rights expertise and wealth of experience on the national, European and international stage will strengthen FRA’s role as a major player in shaping the fundamental rights landscape across the EU."

FRA’s Management Board members interviewed the candidates during their meeting on 24-25 September. The final decision was then put to a vote.

"It’s a great honour for me to take up this important position," said incoming Director Michael O'Flaherty. "I very much look forward to working together with the staff and the Management Board to advance the protection and promotion of fundamental rights throughout the EU, particularly in these critical times."

Michael O'Flaherty is currently a Professor of Human Rights Law at National University of Ireland Galway in Ireland, as well as Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights. He has also been a member of the United Nations’ Human Rights Committee, and has been active in the field of human rights for over 20 years, nationally and internationally. He has been a senior expert for Ireland as part of FRA’s multidisciplinary research network, FRANET, since 2014.

For further information please contact: media@fra.europa.eu / Tel.: +43 1 580 30 642

Notes to editors:

• The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is mandated to provide evidence-based advice to EU and national decision makers, thereby contributing to more informed and better targeted debates and policies on fundamental rights.
• The selection procedure for new a Director is set out in FRA’s Founding Regulation. A shortlist is drawn up by the European Commission. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU both give their opinions and orders of preference after interviewing each shortlisted candidate, which are thereafter taken into account by the Management Board. The final decision rests with FRA’s Management Board.
• FRA’s Management Board is made up of independent experts from every EU Member State and two representatives of the European Commission. One independent representative appointed by the Council of Europe also sits on the Board in an observer capacity.