Nils Muižnieks is currently an independent human rights consultant based in Riga, Latvia, and serves as the president of the Association of Schools of Political Studies affiliated with the Council of Europe. He was Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (2012-2018) and member with respect of Latvia (2005-2012) and chair (2010-2012) of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). He has also assumed leadership positions in academia, the Latvian government, and the NGO world. He has written broadly about human rights, racism, and international affairs.