Menu
14/03/2002
NI Human Rights Commission awaits Lords decision
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has appealed to the House of Lords in a bid to win the power to appear in court as an interested third party or a “friend of the court”.
The case, which was presented to the Lords on March 11, is seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal decision issued last April which stated the Commission did not have the power to appear before the courts and present arguments on human rights principles that are of public importance.
The ruling on the case, which was presented over two days, is expected to be delivered soon.
However, a spokesperson for the Commission said: “We’re hoping it will be soon but it could be next month. All we do know is that the judgment will be handed down before the Lords summer recess which is in July.”
The case arises out of the Commission’s attempt to intervene in the inquest into the Omagh bomb to include an examination of police action in response to the bomb warning.
The coroner refused to allow the Commission to intervene and the Commission then sought judicial review of this decision before the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell. The Lord Chief Justice upheld the coroner’s view and so did two judges in the Court of Appeal.
One of the Court of Appeal judges, Mr Justice Kerr, however disagreed with his two fellow judges and it is his judgment that the Commission is asking the House of Lords to endorse.
Professor Brice Dickson, the head of the Human Rights Commission, said: “The Court of Appeal’s judgment was a great disappointment to us. It meant that the Commission had less power to present arguments to courts than non-governmental organisations and other statutory bodies without a direct human rights mandate. We will be asking their lordships to reverse the decision of the court in Northern Ireland and to accept how vital it is for a statutory human rights body to be able to give its opinion to judges.”
The Northern Ireland Office has been granted leave to intervene in the case in order to support the Commission’s position.
The government argues that its intention had always been to give the Commission the power which the coroner denied to it.
Three non-governmental organisations active in the human rights field, Amnesty International, British Irish Rights Watch and the Committee on the Administration of Justice have also been permitted to make a joint written intervention.
(AMcE)
The case, which was presented to the Lords on March 11, is seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal decision issued last April which stated the Commission did not have the power to appear before the courts and present arguments on human rights principles that are of public importance.
The ruling on the case, which was presented over two days, is expected to be delivered soon.
However, a spokesperson for the Commission said: “We’re hoping it will be soon but it could be next month. All we do know is that the judgment will be handed down before the Lords summer recess which is in July.”
The case arises out of the Commission’s attempt to intervene in the inquest into the Omagh bomb to include an examination of police action in response to the bomb warning.
The coroner refused to allow the Commission to intervene and the Commission then sought judicial review of this decision before the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell. The Lord Chief Justice upheld the coroner’s view and so did two judges in the Court of Appeal.
One of the Court of Appeal judges, Mr Justice Kerr, however disagreed with his two fellow judges and it is his judgment that the Commission is asking the House of Lords to endorse.
Professor Brice Dickson, the head of the Human Rights Commission, said: “The Court of Appeal’s judgment was a great disappointment to us. It meant that the Commission had less power to present arguments to courts than non-governmental organisations and other statutory bodies without a direct human rights mandate. We will be asking their lordships to reverse the decision of the court in Northern Ireland and to accept how vital it is for a statutory human rights body to be able to give its opinion to judges.”
The Northern Ireland Office has been granted leave to intervene in the case in order to support the Commission’s position.
The government argues that its intention had always been to give the Commission the power which the coroner denied to it.
Three non-governmental organisations active in the human rights field, Amnesty International, British Irish Rights Watch and the Committee on the Administration of Justice have also been permitted to make a joint written intervention.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 March 2007
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
21 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Mike Nesbitt Pays Tribute To Ken Reid Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to Ken Reid, the veteran journalist who has passed away after a long period of ill health. The Minister said: "I want to first and foremost express my deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Liz, his children and grandchildren and the whole family circle.
Other News In Brief
Mike Nesbitt Pays Tribute To Ken Reid Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to Ken Reid, the veteran journalist who has passed away after a long period of ill health. The Minister said: "I want to first and foremost express my deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Liz, his children and grandchildren and the whole family circle.
15 June 2015
Abortion Laws To Be Reviewed At High Court
The Human Rights Commission's (NIHRC) judicial review of the law on abortion in Northern Ireland is to begin at the High Court today, Monday 15 June.
Abortion Laws To Be Reviewed At High Court
The Human Rights Commission's (NIHRC) judicial review of the law on abortion in Northern Ireland is to begin at the High Court today, Monday 15 June.
07 June 2006
High court judge halts deportation of rapist
The deportation of a convicted rapist has today been halted by a Belfast High Court. The judge, Mr Justice Weir, granted interim relief of the deportation of 35-year-old Emmanuel Kargbo back to his native Sierra Leone.
High court judge halts deportation of rapist
The deportation of a convicted rapist has today been halted by a Belfast High Court. The judge, Mr Justice Weir, granted interim relief of the deportation of 35-year-old Emmanuel Kargbo back to his native Sierra Leone.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
