The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission can provide advice to those who may have issues or queries related to human rights in Northern Ireland.
If you need to get in touch with the Commission about a human rights query, you can get in contact via:
Phone: 028 9024 3987
Email: info@nihrc.org
If we are unable to directly assist, we will try to refer you to a more appropriate agency that may be able to help you.
Our Powers
Each year, the Commission reviews progress by government and public authorities with human rights laws and standards.
One of the Commission’s statutory functions is providing legal assistance, including taking strategic legal cases.
The Commission has the power to assist individuals when they are bringing court proceedings, to intervene in proceedings and to bring court proceedings itself.
It receives enquiries from people who believe that their human rights have been violated, and provides training and information on human rights.
Legal Action
Own Motion Cases
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has standing to undertake own motion cases.
This is where the Commission can take a legal case of public interest in its own name, without having to rely on an individual victim to bring forward legal proceedings.
Own motion cases are an important function for the Commission, allowing it to bring proceedings related to the protection and safeguarding of human rights.
The Commission has been provided with this power by sections 71(2A) and 71(2B) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as amended by section 14 of the Justice and Security (NI) Act 2007 and Schedule 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.
You can read more about own motion cases taken by the Commission below.
