Publications

NIHRC and ECNI Joint Submission to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework

Context

The Rt Hon Lord Murphy of Torfaen was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP on 9 January 2025 to lead the first Independent Review of the Windsor Framework. The review was established under Schedule 6A to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which deals with the ‘EU Withdrawal: Democratic Consent Process.’ Under that process, the Northern Ireland Assembly votes every four or eight years on the continued application of Articles 5 to 10 of the Windsor Framework, governing trade-related matters.

While Article 2, the no diminution of rights commitment, is not part of the democratic consent mechanism, it is part of the wider context in which the Windsor Framework sits, therefore NIHRC and ECNI jointly made a submission to the Review.

Relevant Documents

• Publication - ECNI/NIHRC Submission to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into the operation of the Windsor Framework in Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
• Publication - Submission of the NIHRC and ECNI to the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee on Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Voice in the Context of the Windsor Framework | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
• Publication - NIHRC and ECNI Annual Report on the Implementation of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework 2024 | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
• Publication - NIHRC and ECNI Working Paper: The Scope of Article 2(1) of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Summary recommendations/messages

The Review is invited to note the importance of implementing Article 2 in protecting the equality and human rights commitments in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and to distinguish Article 2 from wider recommendations relating to Articles 5 to 10.