Yash Pal Ghai
Encyclopedia
{Infobox person
|image = |
|imagesize = 150px |
| name = Yash Pal Ghai
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1938
| birth_place = Kenya
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation =Scholar in Constitutional Law
| yearsactive =
Yash Pal Ghai (born 1938, Nairobi
, Kenya
) is a scholar in constitutional law
. As of 2007 he is the head of the Constitution Advisory Support Unit of the United Nations Development Programme in Nepal. Until 2008, he was a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cambodia on human rights. In September 2008, he resigned his post, following bitter arguments with the Government of Cambodia. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200809/s2367459.htm?tab=asia He has been a Fellow of the British Academy since 2005.
He was the Sir YK Pao Professor of Public Law
at the University of Hong Kong starting in 1989. He has been an Honorary Professor there since his retirement in 1995. Prior to that, Ghai taught and did research in law at the University of Warwick
, Uppsala University
in Sweden, the International Legal Center in New York
, and Yale Law School
. He has also taught courses at the University of Wisconsin Law School
, as part of an exchange program.
He was the Chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (which attempted to write a modern constitution
for Kenya) from 2000 to 2004.
Ghai has also advised and assisted NGOs on human rights law-related work. He drafted the Asian Human Rights Charter—A People's Charter, a project of the Asian Human Rights Commission
.
His grandparents were Khukhrain
who came from North India, and were part of the waves of migration sponsored by the British Empire. His father sent Ghai to Oxford to study.
Ghai has written several books on law in Africa
, the Pacific islands, and elsewhere.
|image = |
|imagesize = 150px |
| name = Yash Pal Ghai
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1938
| birth_place = Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation =Scholar in Constitutional Law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
| yearsactive =
Yash Pal Ghai (born 1938, Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
) is a scholar in constitutional law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
. As of 2007 he is the head of the Constitution Advisory Support Unit of the United Nations Development Programme in Nepal. Until 2008, he was a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cambodia on human rights. In September 2008, he resigned his post, following bitter arguments with the Government of Cambodia. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200809/s2367459.htm?tab=asia He has been a Fellow of the British Academy since 2005.
He was the Sir YK Pao Professor of Public Law
Public law
Public law is a theory of law governing the relationship between individuals and the state. Under this theory, constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law...
at the University of Hong Kong starting in 1989. He has been an Honorary Professor there since his retirement in 1995. Prior to that, Ghai taught and did research in law at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
, Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
in Sweden, the International Legal Center in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
. He has also taught courses at the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
, as part of an exchange program.
He was the Chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (which attempted to write a modern constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
for Kenya) from 2000 to 2004.
Ghai has also advised and assisted NGOs on human rights law-related work. He drafted the Asian Human Rights Charter—A People's Charter, a project of the Asian Human Rights Commission
Asian Human Rights Commission
The Asian Human Rights Commission is an independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of human rights in the Asian region, and to mobilise Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations...
.
His grandparents were Khukhrain
Khukhrain
The Khukhrain are an ancient group of eight specific clans of the Khatri caste who originally hailed from the areas of the Salt Range and particularly the town of Bhera in Punjab...
who came from North India, and were part of the waves of migration sponsored by the British Empire. His father sent Ghai to Oxford to study.
Ghai has written several books on law in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, the Pacific islands, and elsewhere.