NIHRC publishes research report on the environment and human rights post Brexit

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has released a new independent research report titled "The Environment, Human Rights and the Windsor Framework.” The launch of the report included commentary from the authors Dr Ciara Brennan (Environmental Justice Network Ireland), Dr Mary Dobbs (Maynooth University), Dr Orla Kelleher (Technological University of the Shannon), Ms Alison Hough BL (Maynooth University) and Dr Lisa Claire Whitten (Queen’s University Belfast).

This is the latest publication in a research series exploring obligations under Article 2 of the Windsor Framework which requires the United Kingdom (UK) Government to ensure that no diminution of the rights, safeguards and equality protections contained in the relevant part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 occurs as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU).

The report argues that the Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity chapter of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement should be understood as including a range of environmental protections. To accompany the publication the Commission has also released a briefing paper of narrower and focused advice and recommendations.

Speaking about the research, Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said:

“Human rights are universal and interdependent. This new research report highlights the complex interplay between international and domestic human rights frameworks and environmental protections. As outlined in the research, and in the Commission’s accompanying briefing paper, human rights are indivisible, and a clean and safe environment that is protected is essential for the enjoyment of all human rights.”

Read the report here and the NIHRC briefing paper here.

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For queries please contact media@nihrc.org

About the NIHRC’s role after Brexit

Since 1 January 2021, both the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission have had duties and powers to monitor, supervise, advise, enforce, and report on the UK Government’s commitment in Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.

For more information see here: www.nihrc.org/brexit