Dr. Ahmed Shaheed

Ahmed Shaheed served as the first Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the termination of the previous Commission of Human Rights mandate in 2002. As Special Rapporteur, he pioneered the use of novel methodologies, such as modern technologies, clinical studies and large data sets for examining human rights violations in Iran, while investigating and reporting on human rights abuses in the country including, but not limited to, systematic violations of due process rights, structural discrimination against religious minorities, LGBT+ persons, women and girls, inhumane prison conditions, restrictions on speech and assembly, and the denial of economic, social and cultural rights.

Dr. Shaheed served in his role from 2011-2016, and then served as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Shaheed is currently Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex, and an OSCE Expert on Freedom of Religion or Belief. A full resume is available here.