The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is inviting the public to celebrate Human Rights Week by attending a special conference taking place between December 7 and 8 at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast.



In the run up to International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Commission will profile the important work going on across Northern Ireland in building a culture of rights.

During this year’s celebrations, the Human Rights Commission has organised for a number of media commentators and representatives from equality and human rights organisations, training providers, voluntary groups, political parties, business and religious organisations to discuss key human rights issues in Northern Ireland.

At the event, participants and speakers will consider how to build a human rights culture by focusing on three different levels, all of which interact with one another – values, politics and law.

Keynote speakers will include the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan; Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission and Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

For the first time at such an event, representatives of business and faith groups will outline how human rights impact on their sectors.

A special focus of the conference will also include case-studies of the work of non governmental organisations.

According to Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner: "The aim of Human Rights Week is to increase the level of public awareness of human rights. At this event, we will explore how to build a culture of human rights in Northern Ireland. At a time when governments across the world are challenging human rights protections, it is vital that we not only celebrate, but also address the important role of human rights in supporting democracy and peace."

(EF)