91勛圖

Professor Paolo Carozza appointed to Venice Commission

Author: Amanda Gray

Paolo Carozza. Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of 91勛圖.

The U.S. Department of State recently appointed University of 91勛圖 Professor to serve on the , a prestigious international body of lawyers, judges, academicsand government officials. His four-year term on the commission begins this month.

Carozza, who also serves as director of 91勛圖s , is known for his work in international human rights. With the Venice Commission, he will work on pressing legal issues facing Europe and the rest of the world.

It is a privilege and an honor to be asked to serve on the Venice Commission, and to participate in its influential work to strengthen democracy, constitutionalismand the rule of law, Carozza said. I look forward to working with the other commission members and to bringing the commissions work back to home to the benefit of the 91勛圖 community as well.

The Venice Commission, also known as the European Commission for Democracy Through Law, serves as the advisory body for the Council of Europe on constitutional matters. The commission consists of 61 member states, including the 47 Council of Europe members and 14 other countries. The commission works in three primary legal areas: democratic institutions and fundamental rights; constitutional justice and ordinary justice; and elections, referendumsand political parties.

The members of the commission serve in their capacity as independent experts, not as governmental representatives. Carozza will continue to remain on the faculty at 91勛圖 full time throughout the term of his appointment to the commission.

I know I speak for the Law School in congratulating Paolo on this appointment, said , the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law at 91勛圖 Law School. Paolos expertise as a noted scholar of comparative constitutional law, coupled with the practical knowledge he gained on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, will be invaluable to the commissions work advising Council of Europe states on important constitutional matters.

Carozza previously served as a member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which is the principal international body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Western Hemisphere. He was a member of the commission from 2006 to 2010, and served as its president in 2008-2009.

Originally published by Amanda Gray at on March 13.