Rights protections needed now more than ever
Given the increasing political instability in Northern Ireland it is crucial, now more than ever, that we ensure basic rights are protected regardless of the political landscape at Stormont.
It's crucial that basic rights are protected The Government proposals put forward for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland have been seen by many rights campaigners as inadequate. Given the increasing political instability in Northern Ireland it is crucial, now more than ever, that we ensure basic rights are protected regardless of the political landscape at Stormont.
As we count down the final four weeks of the public consultation period on a Bill of Rights, this is the publics chance to call for a strong Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. There is wide-spread support for a strong Bill of Rights within the community and voluntary sector and many groups are holding information sessions and debates on the issue.
The Human Rights Consortium, which leads the 'Make Our Bill of Rights Strong' campaign, has been avidly campaigning for a strong Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland for much of the last decade. In a letter to the Secretary of State in December, the Consortium, a coalition of over 140 community and voluntary organisations, formally rejected the blueprint put forward for a Bill of Rights by the Government in its consultation document which proposes only two rights for inclusion: the right to vote/be elected and the right to identify oneself as British, Irish or both.
The Consortium confirmed to the Secretary of State that the government recommendations failed to meet the six principles which the Consortiums membership of over 140 groups believe constitute a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights and reaffirmed these six principles, which it believes should form the minimum basic requirements of any Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Strong
- No undermining of current international/regional human rights protections
- Recognisable gains, especially for the most disadvantaged;
- Effective enforcement mechanisms
Inclusive
- Represents the diversity that is Northern Ireland;
- Promotes equality for all
- Moves beyond the European Convention on Human Rights to include in particular socio-economic rights.
The 'Make Our Bill of Rights Strong' campaign which will run parallel with the consultation period until March 1st, facilitates and encourages as many individual submissions to the consultation as possible. If a Bill of Rights is to stand any chance of being reflective of the needs of the public at large then it is vital that the Bill of Rights as a document finds its origins within those communities.
Every home in Northern Ireland has received a leaflet entitled 'Read It: Sign It: Send It' that people can sign and return by Freepost to the consultation showing their support for a strong Bill of Rights. Alternatively people can add their signature at www.billofrightsni.org
For further information about the Human Rights Consortium and the Bill of Rights campaign please visit www3.BillOfRightsNI.org
human rights co... | 5 February 2010 - 9:57am |
