Today the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is holding its annual conference in Belfast, focusing on the future of human rights in the UK.  The three UK National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have issued a joint statement calling for the implementation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The joint statement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Great Britain, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission reads:  

“The three UK National Human Rights Institutions (NI, Scotland and Great Britain) 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.”  

Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner of the NIHRC, said: “A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland should be given

the attention it deserves and not mixed up in a wider UK debate.  On this issue the three United Nations accredited national human rights institutions are totally agreed.  The Northern Ireland process was established by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its completion remains crucial to guaranteeing future peace and democratic stability. The new Westminster Government must now bring forward the necessary legislation to uphold promises made to the people of Northern Ireland and to fulfil treaty obligations agreed with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.”  

Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: “There has been so much time, effort and constructive thinking put into the Bill of Rights process for Northern Ireland by so many people that everything must be done to ensure a positive outcome. This further advance of human rights for all is not only what the people of Northern Ireland deserve after so many years but would also enrich the public debate within the United Kingdom and serve as an inspiration to so many people around the world, particularly in conflict situations.”  

You can read the presentation given by Professor Miller to the conference in Word format.

Trevor Philips, Chair of the EHRC, said: “We fully support the conclusion of the process in Northern Ireland as soon as possible, in order that a robust Bill of Rights can be enacted to reflect their particular circumstances. We also believe it is important to consider the implications of devolution in the development of any Bill of Rights for the UK as the legal and constitutional issues involved are different in all four nations.”     

Further information  

NIHRC: Please contact Claire Martin, Press and Public Affairs Worker on (028) 9024 3987  

SHRC: Please contact: Jenifer Johnston on 0141 229 0888  

EHRC: Please contact Zena Ambrose, Senior Press Officer, 020 3117 0266  

Background information

There are three human rights commissions in the UK – the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Great Britain.  This statement represents the views of all three. The NIHRC, EHRC and SHRC are the three National Human Rights Institutions for the UK accredited by the United Nations.