Menu
24/02/2005
Dickson hits out at NIO human rights record
The outgoing Chief Commissioner of the NI Human Rights Commission has criticised the human rights record of the Northern Ireland Office during his tenure.
In an open letter to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Paul Murphy, Professor Brice Dickson said he could not “help felling that on many occasions your government is content to pay lip service to human rights without actually doing much to protect them in practice”.
He continued: “The delays that have been put in the way of revealing the truth about the murder of Patrick Finucane, the obstructionism of the Ministry of Defence during the Bloody Sunday Tribunal, the tolerance of Loyalist and Republican “punishment attacks” (no-one in government is able to tell us how many people have been prosecuted for these crimes) and the appalling lack of support for prisoners and young people with mental health problems in Northern Ireland are all telling signs that New Labour is not quite the caring, rights-orientated government that we hoped it would be when it was first elected in 1997…”
Professor Dickson will finish his six terms of office on Monday with no announcement yet made on his successor.
Meanwhile, the NIHRC has settled a case taken against the Secretary of State over the right to access visits to the Juvenile Justice Centre in Rathgael, Bangor.
The settlement will give the Commission access to the Centre by 1 May 2005 and will meet with the Prison Service before then to discuss its proposed research.
The Commission had sought a judicial review of the decision by the Northern Ireland Office not to grant it access rights to the Centre.
The HRC said it wanted to check whether the recommendations contained in its report 'In Our Care: Promoting the Rights of Children in Custody', published in March 2002, are being properly implemented.
The report at the time made a number of findings regarding the treatment of young offenders in the juvenile justice system.
(MB/SP)
In an open letter to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Paul Murphy, Professor Brice Dickson said he could not “help felling that on many occasions your government is content to pay lip service to human rights without actually doing much to protect them in practice”.
He continued: “The delays that have been put in the way of revealing the truth about the murder of Patrick Finucane, the obstructionism of the Ministry of Defence during the Bloody Sunday Tribunal, the tolerance of Loyalist and Republican “punishment attacks” (no-one in government is able to tell us how many people have been prosecuted for these crimes) and the appalling lack of support for prisoners and young people with mental health problems in Northern Ireland are all telling signs that New Labour is not quite the caring, rights-orientated government that we hoped it would be when it was first elected in 1997…”
Professor Dickson will finish his six terms of office on Monday with no announcement yet made on his successor.
Meanwhile, the NIHRC has settled a case taken against the Secretary of State over the right to access visits to the Juvenile Justice Centre in Rathgael, Bangor.
The settlement will give the Commission access to the Centre by 1 May 2005 and will meet with the Prison Service before then to discuss its proposed research.
The Commission had sought a judicial review of the decision by the Northern Ireland Office not to grant it access rights to the Centre.
The HRC said it wanted to check whether the recommendations contained in its report 'In Our Care: Promoting the Rights of Children in Custody', published in March 2002, are being properly implemented.
The report at the time made a number of findings regarding the treatment of young offenders in the juvenile justice system.
(MB/SP)
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.
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
A teenager has appeared in court to deny murdering police officer Constable Stephen Carroll, 48, who was shot dead in Craigavon on Monday 9 March. He was in the dock at Lisburn Magistrates Court where the court was told he "made no reply to the charges", when they were put to him.
Teen Denies Police Murder Charge
A teenager has appeared in court to deny murdering police officer Constable Stephen Carroll, 48, who was shot dead in Craigavon on Monday 9 March. He was in the dock at Lisburn Magistrates Court where the court was told he "made no reply to the charges", when they were put to him.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
