Bill of Rights Committee evidence on protecting human rights after EU exit

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will present evidence to the Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights today.

Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, and Head of Service (Dedicated Mechanism), Éilis Haughey will provide evidence on emerging and anticipated gaps in human rights provisions following the exit from the European Union, and in relation to the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol commitment to ‘no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity’ under the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented:

“A Bill of Rights remains an unfinished piece in fully implementing the 1998 Agreement. The need for overarching rights protections that provide safeguards for everyone in Northern Ireland remains one of the essential tools for a durable, peaceful society and are never more important than during times of political or economic uncertainty.

Following the UKs withdrawal from the European Union we are all operating within an increasingly complex framework of international obligations. A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland would provide clarity and reassurance for the public on what their rights are and what level of protections they should expect in the future.

We have advised the Committee today of the need to devise a Bill of Rights suitable for 2021 and decades to come, while fully recognising the provisions contained within the Agreement.”

The Commission will present evidence to the Ad Hoc Committee alongside the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland at 2pm on Thursday 29^th April. The session will be live streamed on the NI Assembly website, and can be accessed here.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. NI Human Rights Commissions Advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. In 2008, the Commission published its advice to the Secretary of State for NI on a proposed Bill of Rights, as mandated by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and pursuant to section 69(7) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
2. The NI Human Rights Commission welcomes the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee as a positive outcome within the New Decade, New Approach and will continue to assist and engage with the political process on progressing a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
3. View the Commissions latest advice to the Committee here. The Commission’s 2008 Advice to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, can be accessed here.
4. Protecting Human Rights after the EU exit: As part of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK Government made a commitment to ensure that certain equality and human rights in Northern Ireland will not be diminished as a result of leaving the EU. From 1st January 2021, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission have new roles and responsibilities to ensure that this commitment is upheld. Read more here:

1. 1. The UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement includes the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol. The Protocol reflects the commitment made by the UK Government to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. In particular, the UK Government committed that the withdrawal will not lead to any diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity in Northern Ireland, as set out in the relevant chapter of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, including in the area of protection against discrimination (Article 2(1). It also commits the UK government to keeping pace with any future developments in specific EU Directives covering equal treatment in employment, self-employment, access to goods and services, social security and freedom from discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin.
   2. In the context of the Article 2 commitment, The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) will work together to provide oversight of, and reporting on, rights and equalities issues falling within the scope of the commitment that have an island of Ireland dimension.
   3. Schedule 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 confers new functions on both the NI Commissions (ECNI and NIHRC), to enable each to act as part of the ‘dedicated mechanism’ (DM), to monitor, advise, report on and enforce the UK’s adherence to its commitment that there will be no diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity in Northern Ireland as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU.

5. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body first proposed in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement (1998) and established in 1999 by the Northern Ireland Act (1998). It is answerable to Parliament at Westminster. 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. Read more about the work of the Commission in its latest Annual Report here. Read about the Commission’s annual statement here.