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10 December 2009
Pat Fahy wins Best LLM Dissertation Award,
sponsored by Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Pat Fahy, a graduate from the LLM in Human Rights Law programme at the Magee campus, has been awarded the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Prize for the best dissertation submitted last year. Pat’s dissertation: “The Benefit of the Protective Obligation under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Elusive, or Illusory?” critically examines and compares the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights with that of the United Kingdom courts in relation to the ‘protective obligation’ arising under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Dr Anne Smith, Course Director of the LLM, who also was Pat’s dissertation supervisor, congratulated Pat on his achievement
“Having received the highest mark ever to be awarded for a dissertation on the LLM in Human Rights Law, this is a well deserved prize. There was strong competition from Pat’s fellow students for this award which shows how the LLM has and still continues to attract students who are extremely talented. As well as being the Course Director, as Pat’s supervisor I am delighted for Pat as the award is a fitting tribute to his hard work, commitment and dedication. Well done Pat!”
Pat, who is a practising solicitor in Omagh said:
“Achieving this award is one of the most uplifting experiences of my life. Speaking as someone who has always been engaged in the practical application of law I hope my experience will serve as encouragement to others to pursue the academic path. The combination of disciplines, the academic and the practical, is especially relevant and necessary to the challenge of advancing human rights in the world today. I am thankful to all the staff at
Peter O’Neill, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said:
“Universities have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and the Human Rights Commission is proud of its close working relationship with the Transitional Justice Institute at the University of Ulster. We are pleased to be able to recognize Pat’s outstanding academic work with this prize and wish him and the other students on the programme success in the future.”
Colm Campbell, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Transitional Justice Institute noted:
“We at the TJI would like to thank the Human Rights Commission – we are delighted that they continue to sponsor this prestigious award which recognises the outstanding students on our LLM programme..”
Notes to Editors:
The TJI/NI Human Rights Commission Dissertation Prize is awarded annually for the best dissertation in the LLM in Human Rights Law programme which is run by the Transitional Justice Institute at the