Strategic Plan 2025-2028

Foreword from Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

I am pleased, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, to introduce this Strategic Plan for the period 2025–2028. It reflects our determination to promote and protect human rights for every person in Northern Ireland, regardless of status or background. Promotion and protection go hand in hand. By promoting the value of universal human rights, we strengthen adherence to fundamental human rights standards. Some of our work can be pre-planned, some will require a spontaneous response to events. This plan enables us to do both.

We are still challenged by a lack of adequate resources but are hopeful that will change soon. This strategic plan is being published as we await a formal response from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding two independent reviews of the Commission. We look forward to securing a budget settlement, which we hope will go some way to address the long-overdue increase in capacity needed for the Commission. As a National Human Rights Institution, we want to deliver greater impact for everyone in Northern Ireland.

In the meantime, we make the very best use of everything we have to achieve our objectives. First, greater prioritising and embedding of human rights in law, policy and service delivery. Two, more people, communities and organisations understand and respect human rights. Three, effective access to justice and remedies for people and communities who have their human rights violated or abused. Four, to be a learning organisation, improving our skills to achieve the greatest impact. And five, effective and efficient delivery of our corporate obligations as a public authority.

This plan is informed by the statutory mandate, set out in our founding legislation, the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and by the UN Paris Principles which set the international standards for national human rights institutions. It also reflects the values that guide our work—independence, participation, effectiveness, inclusion and partnership.

We encourage you to read the full document, as it sets out our plans in full. I would like to acknowledge the input made by my colleagues, staff and commissioners, who go above and beyond. Equally important are the stakeholders and partners who work with us - helping us to develop, year on year, offering us encouragement and challenging us when that is necessary.

We have listened and reflected upon what our stakeholders and partners have told us, but we want to hear more over the next three years. Please continue to tell us what you think about our work and help us fulfil our obligations as Northern Irelands Human Rights Commission. We are here for everyone, and we will continue to improve to serve everyone.