Martin O'Brien (humanitarian)
Encyclopedia
Martin O’Brien is human rights activist and charity administrator in Northern Ireland
.
Since 2004 O’Brien has been employed by Atlantic Philanthropies
, a grant making programme which works to bring about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland
, South Africa
and the United States
by promoting peace-building and access to human rights.
Prior to 2004, O’Brien worked for 17 years co-ordinating the work of the Committee on the Administration of Justice
(CAJ), an organisation dedicated to securing the highest standards in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland. As executive director of the CAJ, O'Brien helped to secure strong human rights provisions in the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement supported by most parties, that set forth a timetable and a structure to create a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. It was during O’Brien’s tenure in 1998 that the CAJ was awarded the prestigious Council of Europe
Human Rights Prize in recognition of its contribution to protecting and promoting human rights in Northern Ireland.
O’Brien has written, spoken and publicly campaigned on a wide range of civil liberties issues. He has been involved in the campaign to secure a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. O’Brien has brought concerns about the abuse of human rights in NI to international audiences, including the United Nations
.
O’Brien received his degree in Sociology and Social Administration from Queen's University Belfast in 1987. In 1996, he was awarded a Master's degree in human rights law. In May 1999, Notre Dame College
presented him with an honorary Doctorate in recognition of his work to promote justice and peace in Northern Ireland.
O'Brien is the cofounder of several organisations, including Youth for Peace; the Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education (INNATE); and Kilcranny House, a rural education centre committed to healing the divisions which exist in Northern Ireland.
O’Brien was one of four recipients of the Reebok Human Rights Award
in 1992 in recognition of his contribution to the protection of human rights. His work has also been honoured by Human Rights Watch
, which selected him as one of 12 international human rights monitors for 1992.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Since 2004 O’Brien has been employed by Atlantic Philanthropies
Atlantic Philanthropies
The Atlantic Philanthropies is a private foundation created in 1982 by US businessman Charles F. "Chuck" Feeney. The Atlantic Philanthropies grant-making supports health and social projects in Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam...
, a grant making programme which works to bring about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by promoting peace-building and access to human rights.
Prior to 2004, O’Brien worked for 17 years co-ordinating the work of the Committee on the Administration of Justice
Committee on the Administration of Justice
CAJ is an independent human rights organisation with cross community membership in Northern Ireland and beyond. It was established in 1981 and lobbies and campaigns on a broad range of human rights issues...
(CAJ), an organisation dedicated to securing the highest standards in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland. As executive director of the CAJ, O'Brien helped to secure strong human rights provisions in the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement supported by most parties, that set forth a timetable and a structure to create a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. It was during O’Brien’s tenure in 1998 that the CAJ was awarded the prestigious Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
Human Rights Prize in recognition of its contribution to protecting and promoting human rights in Northern Ireland.
O’Brien has written, spoken and publicly campaigned on a wide range of civil liberties issues. He has been involved in the campaign to secure a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. O’Brien has brought concerns about the abuse of human rights in NI to international audiences, including the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
O’Brien received his degree in Sociology and Social Administration from Queen's University Belfast in 1987. In 1996, he was awarded a Master's degree in human rights law. In May 1999, Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College, also known as Notre Dame College of Ohio or simply NDC, is a Catholic, coeducational, liberal arts college in South Euclid, Ohio, USA. Established in 1922 as a women's college it has been coeducational since January 2001...
presented him with an honorary Doctorate in recognition of his work to promote justice and peace in Northern Ireland.
O'Brien is the cofounder of several organisations, including Youth for Peace; the Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education (INNATE); and Kilcranny House, a rural education centre committed to healing the divisions which exist in Northern Ireland.
O’Brien was one of four recipients of the Reebok Human Rights Award
Reebok Human Rights Award
The Reebok Human Rights Award honours activists under the age of 30 who fight for human rights through non-violent means. Each year, the award is given to four or five individuals. Each receives a grant of US$50,000 that must be used to support their human rights work. The awards are underwritten...
in 1992 in recognition of his contribution to the protection of human rights. His work has also been honoured by Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
, which selected him as one of 12 international human rights monitors for 1992.