Conor Gearty
Professor of Human Rights Law, London School of Economics
Conor Gearty (1957-2025) was a professor of Human Rights Law at the London School of Economics, as well as a barrister and a founder member of Matrix Chambers. In addition to his advocacy work, Conor advised judges, practitioners and public authorities on the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998. He was Director of LSE’s Centre for the Study of Human Rights. His books and articles are in the field of terrorism, but also civil liberties and human rights.
EXPs by Conor Gearty
When we accept that we can instrumentalise the human body, whether it’s for reasons of cruelty or in some spurious quest for information, we have given up on a value-based society.
Protest is fundamental to our future. We are what we are today – a broad, democratic culture – because of past protesters. Protest is vital, both in democracies and authoritarian states.
Free speech isn’t a thing in itself. It’s a thing because of what it gives us, which is a sense of dignity, participation and living in a civilised space.