United Nations Reform Debate Brought to Belfast

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission today will host a crucial session of European National Human Rights Institutions in Belfast. At the session the National Institutions will adopt their response to the United Nations High Commissioner’s Report on the Strengthening of the Human Rights Treaty Body System. Senior United Nations representative’ Dr Ibrahim Salama will participate at the meeting.
NIHRC Chief Commissioner’ Professor Michael O’Flaherty’ said:
‘The United Nations system delivers expert analysis of a country’s human rights situation and sets targeted recommendations for improvement. It also raises awareness of human rights across government departments and galvanizes civil society. Human rights protection in Northern Ireland would be a lot weaker in its absence. However the system is currently in trouble. Today we aim to formulate a strong position in support of the strengthening of the treaty monitoring system. We are only too aware that this may be our last and best chance to secure its future.’
Chair of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions Professor Alan Miller stated:
‘The European Group welcomes today’s important meeting hosted by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. It looks forward to developing its response and contributing to the strengthening of the UN treaty body system which is of vital importance for the people of Europe and the world. NHRIs have a crucial role to play in the promotion and protection of human rights and serve as a bridge between the international human rights system and the realisation of such rights within their home countries.’
ENDS
Further information:
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Notes to editors
1. 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.
2. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay published the ‘Strengthening the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body System’ Report on 22 June 2012.