Prioritise Human Rights in the Programme for Government

As the Northern Ireland Assembly begins its new term this week the Human Rights Commission has published advice on the Northern Ireland Programme for Government which identifies human rights priorities for the Executive and Assembly.

The Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby commented:

“The Commission has provided this advice in preparation of Government Ministers and MLAs returning for the new term and we welcome the outcomes and impact rated approach. A draft programme for government was published in May. The Commission has identified 49 issues that would help deliver the government’s outcomes. These issues include; a single equality act, age discrimination legislation, a gender equality strategy, implementing the Stormont House Agreement, addressing termination of pregnancy, raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending child marriage, building a women’s prison. The list is long and making it shorter by 2021 should be the goal of all elected representatives. We will work with the Assembly to ensure that human rights are made a priority for all.”

ENDS

For further information:

For further information please contact: Claire Martin on 02890 243987 or on claire.martin@nihrc.org

Notes to editors:

1. Access the Commission’s advice here

2. 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.