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The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN) marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17, 2007 with a press conference to launch a new fact sheet on Poverty in Northern Ireland.
Frances Dowds and Monica McWilliams at the launch
The press conference and launch of the Poverty Fact Sheet took place on 17 October as part of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The International Day of Action for the Eradication of Poverty is a day where people experiencing poverty and those who represent them come together to highlight that living in poverty is an affront to people’s dignity and human rights.
The launch took place in the offices of the Human Rights Commission, Temple Court, 39 North Street, Belfast BT1 1NA.
Frances Dowds, Director of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network stated:
"Today poverty is kept behind closed doors, it’s not obvious to the eye that a house is cold because it’s too expensive to turn on the heating, or that family members go hungry in order to make food supplies last longer.
You also can’t see the growing levels of debt households struggle with from week to week in and out of work and the long term impact this has on a family’s health."
Frances Dowds added:
"We developed the fact sheet in response to the increasing scale of poverty in Northern Ireland and because of the widespread lack of understanding about its causes and impact. This fact sheet is intended to better inform the general public that poverty is not a personal choice but that factors beyond an individuals control are often the cause; such as unemployment, ill-health or relationship breakdown.
"We all need to work together to insist that government makes addressing poverty and social exclusion its key priority, otherwise the impact of ever widening inequality in our society could be devastating.
"The United Nations International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights sets out international obligations on states in relation to poverty. It is the responsibility of government to fulfil its obligations under the Covenant and therefore the Human Rights Commission recommends that the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly prioritise the implementation of an anti-poverty strategy to help ensure that socio-economic rights are protected in Northern Ireland."
Monica McWilliams added:
"Poverty prevents the full and equal participation of individuals in society and their enjoyment of basic human rights. The theme for this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty “People living in poverty as agents of change” places a responsibility on government to provide those in poverty with a voice so that we can work towards eradicating the scourge of poverty in Northern Ireland".
Download the Poverty Factsheet
165kb PDF
NIHRC: Please contact Claire Martin, Press & Public Affairs Worker, on 028 9024 3987
NIAPN: Please contact Frances Dowds on 02890 244525
The Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network was established in 1991 to create a focus on poverty. NIAPN is a Network with over 300 members drawn mostly from the community and voluntary sectors. The Network research and publicise the extent, causes and effects of poverty in Northern Ireland.
We work to influence policy makers by focusing on government policies, which impact upon poverty and stress the need for anti-poverty measures at local, national and European levels. More information on NIAPN is available on our website, www.niapn.org
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was established in 1999, by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The powers and functions of the Commission include reviewing law and practice, advising the government, promoting an awareness of human rights and taking cases to court. It also intervenes in court cases, and this has included European Court hearings on the right to life. For further information on the NIHRC please visit our website www.nihrc.org
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