Action required by government and public authorities on human rights issues in Northern Ireland: NI Human Rights Commission

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its Annual Human Rights Statement highlighting the progress made, and the action still required on a wide range of issues affecting people in Northern Ireland.

As an overview of the human rights landscape over the last year, the Annual Statement includes areas requiring action from the UK Government, NI Executive or public authorities; as well as the Commission’s recommendations to address these issues.

This year’s guest speaker, Lord David Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC, provided the keynote address titled: The European Convention on Human Rights – news from London and Strasbourg.

The report has been launched at the Long Gallery, Stormont Parliament Buildings, on 8^th December 2025.

Lord Anderson commented:

“The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a global leader among human rights institutions, and a model for any society that seeks to build a just and durable peace.”

Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Alyson Kilpatrick, stated:

“We are delighted to welcome Lord Anderson to Stormont and to hear his valuable insight on the European Convention of Human Rights. 2025 has been a landmark year for human rights, with the 75^th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, 25^th anniversary of the Human Rights Act coming into force in the UK, and the 80^th anniversary of the United Nations. They are all as important today in the current climate as they ever were, and an integral to enabling the Commission to carry out its work and mandate of promoting and protecting the human rights of all in Northern Ireland.

Our Annual Human Rights Statement 2025 continues to highlight a wide range of challenges to human rights in Northern Ireland. In 2025 we have seen the unwelcome continuation of racist incidents and hate crime, violence against women and girls, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and an exacerbation of cost-of-living issues. Areas of gravest concern disproportionately affect children and young people.

Disturbingly, our report finds no issues have been resolved in the last year. This is our call to the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government and public bodies to act and meaningfully address the many human rights issues highlighted in our Annual Statement. There is much work to be done in ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland can enjoy and realise the rights and freedoms they are entitled to.

The Commission will continue to work closely with colleagues in both Stormont and Westminster, providing advice in line with our statutory duties and holding them to account.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Interview opportunity with Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Press contact to arrange interview: Lucy Keown – 07795 640237

Email: media@nihrc.org

For other queries contact media@nihrc.org

• The NI Human Rights Commission is a statutory public body established in 1999 to promote and protect human rights. In accordance with the Paris Principles the Commission reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of measures undertaken by the UK Government to promote and protect human rights, specifically within Northern Ireland. You can read more about what we do here: https://nihrc.org/about-us/what-we-do
• There is a live stream of the event which can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/NLD3sMIs7nI
• The Annual Statement is a report assessing the state of human rights in Northern Ireland, which is published each year. You can read the 2025 Annual Human Rights Statement here: https://nihrc.org/publication/detail/annual-statement-2025
• The 2025 Annual Statement sets out - ‘red light’ issues that require immediate action by the UK Government, NI Executive, or relevant public authorities. A red category highlights that the issue may be an ongoing violation or abuse of human rights within NI. The ‘red light’ issues are as follows:
  • Right to Life
    • Conflict-related investigations, page 147
    • Legacy inquests and inquiries, page 158
  • Freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment
    • Child, early and forced marriage, page 188
    • Children missing from care, page 193
    • Conversion practices, page 195
    • Physical punishment of children, page 249
  • Freedom from slavery
    • Child sexual exploitation, page 293
  • Right to liberty and security
    • Remand of children, page 325
  • Right to a fair trial
    • Age of criminal responsibility, page 342
  • Right to private and family life
    • Access to financial support for unmarried couples
    • Biometric data, page 368
  • Freedom of religion and belief, expression, association and the right to participate in public and political life
    • Blasphemy, page 409
  • Right to an adequate standard of living and to social security
    • Poverty and debt vulnerability, page 490
  • Right to health
    • Emergency healthcare and NHS waiting lists

• About Lord David Anderson:
  • David Anderson (Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC) is a barrister practising from Brick Court Chambers and a cross-bench peer. He is a Visiting Professor at Kings College London, a member of the advisory council of Transparency International UK and chair of the European Institute at University College London.
  • David sits on the Constitution Committee of the House of Lords and chairs the trustees of Inter Mediate, a charity which facilitates peace negotiations in some of the world’s most complex and dangerous conflicts.
  • From 2011-2017, David served as the UK Government’s Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation and continues to report publicly on related subjects including surveillance (2015, 2016, 2023), intelligence-handling (2017, 2019) and Prevent (2025). He was knighted in 2018 for services to national security and civil liberties.
  • Find out more about Lord Anderson here: Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC | Brick Court Chambers