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17/12/2010
Divergent Views On Bill Of Rights
A Northern Ireland Office Minister of State, Hugo Swire has updated Westminster on the progress on a proposed NI Bill of Rights - and underlined that the way ahead is far from clear.
The MP said: "Consultation [has] demonstrated opposition to a wide-ranging Bill of Rights and support instead for a more limited set of rights that reflected the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.
"This divergence of views was also reflected in the submissions made by political parties in Northern Ireland.
"The Government will continue to consider how best to address this issue, but continues to urge all sides to work together to help build consensus on the best way to proceed," he said, noting that he has already published responses to the previous Government's consultation on 'A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Steps'. He said: "A total of approximately 36,492 responses were received.
"There were 232 substantive responses and approximately 36,260 email and mail/freepost mailshots that were sent as part of campaigns by various groups.
"Individual mailshot responses have not been published on the NIO website due to the high volume received; however sample versions have been made available.
"There was considerable support from human rights and community groups for a wide-ranging Bill of Rights along the lines of that recommended by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
"They expressed concern that the proposals in the consultation document fell well short of this," he said, adding to the confusion as last September, human rights commissions from across the UK strongly backed the proposed 'full' Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Meeting in Belfast in September, they said that the coalition at Westminster has passed the question of whether to introduce a British Bill of Rights supplanting the European Convention on Human Rights to an independent commission and a statement from the three commissions - including that in NI - was unequivocal.
"The three UK national human rights institutions agree that the establishment of a UK commission to investigate the possible creation of a British Bill of Rights must not delay the process of implementing a separate Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland," it said.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in December 2008 has already presented its advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland to the Stormont Government.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: "On this issue the three United Nations accredited national human rights institutions are totally agreed."
See: NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
(BMcC/GK)
The MP said: "Consultation [has] demonstrated opposition to a wide-ranging Bill of Rights and support instead for a more limited set of rights that reflected the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.
"This divergence of views was also reflected in the submissions made by political parties in Northern Ireland.
"The Government will continue to consider how best to address this issue, but continues to urge all sides to work together to help build consensus on the best way to proceed," he said, noting that he has already published responses to the previous Government's consultation on 'A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Steps'. He said: "A total of approximately 36,492 responses were received.
"There were 232 substantive responses and approximately 36,260 email and mail/freepost mailshots that were sent as part of campaigns by various groups.
"Individual mailshot responses have not been published on the NIO website due to the high volume received; however sample versions have been made available.
"There was considerable support from human rights and community groups for a wide-ranging Bill of Rights along the lines of that recommended by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
"They expressed concern that the proposals in the consultation document fell well short of this," he said, adding to the confusion as last September, human rights commissions from across the UK strongly backed the proposed 'full' Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Meeting in Belfast in September, they said that the coalition at Westminster has passed the question of whether to introduce a British Bill of Rights supplanting the European Convention on Human Rights to an independent commission and a statement from the three commissions - including that in NI - was unequivocal.
"The three UK national human rights institutions agree that the establishment of a UK commission to investigate the possible creation of a British Bill of Rights must not delay the process of implementing a separate Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland," it said.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in December 2008 has already presented its advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland to the Stormont Government.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: "On this issue the three United Nations accredited national human rights institutions are totally agreed."
See: NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
(BMcC/GK)
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04 September 2001
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
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The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford (pictured here) vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford (pictured here) vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for 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.
24 March 2009
Teen Denies Police Murder Charge
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Teen Denies Police Murder Charge
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28 January 2005
Belfast to hold international Human Rights conference
A major conference, bringing together over 20 international human rights leaders from 12 countries, will take place in Belfast this weekend.
Belfast to hold international Human Rights conference
A major conference, bringing together over 20 international human rights leaders from 12 countries, will take place in Belfast this weekend.
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