Human rights and poverty explored at Fivemiletown College

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has visited Fivemiletown College in County Tyrone as part of its educational engagement.

NIHRC spoke to Learning for Life and Work pupils about its role in promoting and protecting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.

The visit focused on the importance of the human rights that everyone in society has. Year 11 students debated which human rights they were entitled to, and discussed the circumstances where human rights can be limited, for example the right to liberty, which may be restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law.

GCSE pupils also explored issues around poverty, including how everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living under international human rights law.

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented:

“We were delighted to discuss human rights and the work of the NIHRC with Year 11 students at Fivemiletown College. It generated a lively discussion and we were impressed and encouraged by the level of interest shown by the pupils. These educational engagements are a vital part of the work of the Commission. We thank the College for inviting us out, and wish the students every success with their studies.”

ENDS

Photo: Representatives from the NI Human Rights Commission with students from Fivemiletown College.

Further information:

For further information please contact Claire Martin on: (028) 9024 3987 or by email on claire.martin@nihrc.org

Notes to Editors

1.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.

2. The animation on the work of the NIHRC can be viewed here.

3. The video on poverty and human rights can be found here.

4. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights states: ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.’