Publications

Briefing to Committee for Justice on Amendments to the ‘Justice Bill 07/22-27’

Summary recommendations/messages

4.13 The Commission recommends that the Committee give consideration to amending the proposed Clause 28B to provide that the Department of Justice shall make regulations for and in connection with allowing a person on whom a sentence has been imposed in respect of a conviction to apply for an order.

5.5 The Commission welcomes the proposals to repeal section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, with a view to ensuring that homelessness is not criminalised in NI.

5.6 The Commission recommends that the Committee for Justice encourages the Department of Justice to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring that the alternative legislation that will be relied on following the repeal of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847 does not unduly infringe on the rights of individuals in NI, including people experiencing homelessness. While acknowledging the public consultation, this requires specifically seeking and giving consideration to the views of people with lived experience of homelessness and their representative organisations at each decision-making stage.

6.11 Noting that organised crime groups rely on exploitation to further their goals, the Commission recommends that the Committee explore with the Department of Justice how law enforcement agencies will ensure that those who are exploited or coerced to participate in criminal activity, including children, women, and persons who are trafficked or subjected to modern slavery are not criminalised by the proposed offences.