A human rights professor from Keele’s School of Law has been appointed to a prestigious post by the United Nations Human Rights Council, to help tackle modern slavery around the world.

Professor Tomoya Obokata, an expert on human rights and international law, has been appointed as the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at the recent UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.

Professor Obokata’s post is often referred to as a human rights “expert on mission” and involves working with a number of international stakeholders to tackle modern slavery in all its forms across the globe.

Working alongside governments, non-government organisations and other international partners, Professor Obokata will examine and report on slavery and slave-like practices around the world,

Professor Obokata’s appointment is a testament to his world-leading expertise and research in this field.

Professor Obokata said: “I am extremely honoured to have been appointed and very much look forward to working with relevant colleagues globally in order to prevent and suppress modern slavery.”