Six new part-time commissioners have been appointed to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC).

Helen Ferguson, Helena Macormac, Paul Mageean, Samuel John McCallister, Edmond Rooney and Graham Shields will join the full-time Chief Commissioner and staff in September.

Chief Commissioner Les Allamby said: “I am delighted on behalf of the Commission to welcome these appointments. The new Commissioners join us at a crucial period. The protection and promotion of human rights is vital in these uncertain political times.

“In October we will be challenging Northern Ireland’s Termination of pregnancy laws at the Supreme Court. We will also release our investigation findings into Traveller accommodation in the coming months. The Commission works across many sectors and areas to promote and embed a culture of human rights including with the Business sector, the Civil Service and local people through our community engagement visits throughout Northern Ireland.

“We look forward to working in September with the new Commissioners to carry forward our existing work and to setting new future priorities to protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.”