René Cassin, the leading Jewish voice for human rights, has announced the appointment of barrister Jonathan Metzer as the new chair of its trustee board. Metzer, a specialist in human rights law at 1 Crown Office Row Chambers, brings a wealth of experience and a strong personal commitment to the role.
The charity, named after the French-Jewish co-author of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, works to use Jewish experience and values to advocate for the rights of minorities. Metzer’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as populist nationalism poses a threat to human rights around the world.
In a statement, Metzer shared his personal connection to the cause, saying, “My commitment to human rights derives largely from my experience growing up in a strongly identifying Jewish family partly descended from refugees from the Holocaust. To be leading the charity named after the Declaration’s co-author is a great honour and a tremendous responsibility.”
Metzer takes over from outgoing Chair Danny Silverstone, who has led René Cassin since 2014. Silverstone expressed his confidence in Metzer, stating, “His appointment will bring an exciting mix of experience, focus, commitment and energy to the role.”
Mia Hasenson-Gross, René Cassin’s Executive Director, also welcomed Metzer’s appointment, saying, “With his expertise and energy, Jonathan is the ideal person to drive René Cassin forward in the next stage of our development. I very much look forward to working with him.”
Metzer’s appointment marks a new chapter for René Cassin, as it continues to advocate for human rights principles within and beyond the Jewish community. As the world faces ongoing challenges to human rights, the charity’s work is more important than ever.
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