Director Jarna Petman

Jarna Petman, Director of the Human Rights Centre and Chair of the Human Rights Delegation, holds a PhD in Law and a Master's degree in Social Sciences. She is Adjunct Professor in public international law (with the permanent title of docent) at the University of Helsinki.

Before becoming Director of the Human Rights Centre, Petman was an Associate Professor of international law at the Faculty of Law of Stockholm University and a visiting professor in both Washington D.C. and Beijing.

Previously, she served for many years as Deputy Director of the Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Helsinki and also as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki. She has also held a number of national and international positions related to fundamental and human rights and is currently one of the Commissioners of the International Commission of Jurists.

Jarna Petman's four-year term of office began in May 2024.