York Professor becomes 'People's Peer'
Posted on 19 October 2007
Professor Afshar, who will sit on the crossbenches in the Upper House, teaches Politics and Women's Studies at York. She is also the Visiting Professor of Islamic Law at the International Faculty of Comparative Law, University of Strasbourg.
I shall certainly be fighting for equal opportunities for minorities and for women as I have always done
Professor Haleh Afshar
Professor Afshar is the founder and Chair of the Muslim Women's Network, and she is an advisor to the Government on public policy relating to Muslim women and Islamic law.
"I was really very surprised and very honoured that to be considered as a 'People's Peer', in fact I was lost for words when I was told. I shall certainly be fighting for equal opportunities for minorities and for women as I have always done," she said.
She is one of two new non-party-political peers announced by the Commission.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Appointments Commission is a non-statutory advisory body set up by the Prime Minister to make recommendations for non-party-political peerages. The Commission’s remit is to find people of distinction who will bring authority and expertise to the House of Lords. The Commission recommends individuals on merit and their ability to contribute effectively to the work of the House. The House of Lords Appointments Commission has now recommended a total of 44 non-party-political peerages to the Prime Minister.
- Further information on the Appointments Commission can be obtained from www.lordsappointments.gov.uk
- More information on Haleh Afshar at http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/poli/staff/profiles/ha.htm