13/05/2015
Plans To Scrap Human Rights Act Slammed
Sinn Féin has hit out at Theresa Villiers over the government's plans to scrap the Human Rights Act.
MLA Caitríona Ruane said the plans are "very worrying" but "not surprising".
"Reports that the British government are planning to scrap the Human Rights Act are very worrying," she said. "Theresa Villiers is fond of telling locally elected politicians on the need to implement agreements but seems to be oblivious to the fact that scrapping the Human Rights Act would result in a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised agreement, endorsed by the people in referenda and lodged with the United Nations."
Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has also spoken out against the plans. He said: "David Cameron is clearly buoyed by the slender majority that he has secured in Parliament, but I would urge him against making dangerous decisions such as the proposed removal of the Human Rights Act.
"Human rights are an essential part of modern democracies. They protect citizens from discrimination and oppression. They are too important to be playing politics with.
"I would be strongly opposed to the Prime Minister's proposal. Alliance will continue to support the Human Rights Act and work to ensure that it is not removed."
(CD/JP)
MLA Caitríona Ruane said the plans are "very worrying" but "not surprising".
"Reports that the British government are planning to scrap the Human Rights Act are very worrying," she said. "Theresa Villiers is fond of telling locally elected politicians on the need to implement agreements but seems to be oblivious to the fact that scrapping the Human Rights Act would result in a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised agreement, endorsed by the people in referenda and lodged with the United Nations."
Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has also spoken out against the plans. He said: "David Cameron is clearly buoyed by the slender majority that he has secured in Parliament, but I would urge him against making dangerous decisions such as the proposed removal of the Human Rights Act.
"Human rights are an essential part of modern democracies. They protect citizens from discrimination and oppression. They are too important to be playing politics with.
"I would be strongly opposed to the Prime Minister's proposal. Alliance will continue to support the Human Rights Act and work to ensure that it is not removed."
(CD/JP)
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Northern Ireland police informers were paid £299,000 during the last financial year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. The BBC, who submitted the request, learned that across the UK, police forces had handed out more than £6m for information on criminal activity while NI pay-outs ranked the third largest behind the £1.
NI Informant Payouts Revealed
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
