06/07/2022
SF Reiterates Calls For Legacy Bill To Be Scrapped
Sinn Féin has reiterated calls for the government's Legacy Bill to be scrapped following comments by a leading EU Commissioner.
Mid Ulster MLA Linda Dillon said: "Speaking after a visit to Britain and the north, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović raised serious concerns about the British government's flawed legacy bill and the deep distress to victims and families who have rejected these plans.
"She has also addressed concerns over the legislation's compatibility with European Commission for Human Rights (ECHR) standards on independent and effective investigations.
"The fact that the British government is fast-tracking this plan through Westminster and ignoring the voices of victims and families, all political parties and the Human Rights Commission who have branded this legislation flawed, demonstrates their arrogance.
"The Commissioner's visit has called into question the Tories' whole approach to human rights in general through its intent to scrap the Human Rights Act and the damaging impact that will have through loss of access to European courts.
"Victims and families have campaigned for decades for access to truth and justice, and many have turned to the EU courts who have made key judgements in legacy cases.
"It's time for Boris Johnson to listen to the voices of the international community, victims and families, human rights experts and parties who are calling for this flawed legacy legislation to be scrapped now.
"End the cycle of making agreements and then breaking them by implementing the 2014 Stormont House Agreement which has the backing of victims and families and is the best way of accessing truth and justice in a human rights compliant manner."
Mid Ulster MLA Linda Dillon said: "Speaking after a visit to Britain and the north, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović raised serious concerns about the British government's flawed legacy bill and the deep distress to victims and families who have rejected these plans.
"She has also addressed concerns over the legislation's compatibility with European Commission for Human Rights (ECHR) standards on independent and effective investigations.
"The fact that the British government is fast-tracking this plan through Westminster and ignoring the voices of victims and families, all political parties and the Human Rights Commission who have branded this legislation flawed, demonstrates their arrogance.
"The Commissioner's visit has called into question the Tories' whole approach to human rights in general through its intent to scrap the Human Rights Act and the damaging impact that will have through loss of access to European courts.
"Victims and families have campaigned for decades for access to truth and justice, and many have turned to the EU courts who have made key judgements in legacy cases.
"It's time for Boris Johnson to listen to the voices of the international community, victims and families, human rights experts and parties who are calling for this flawed legacy legislation to be scrapped now.
"End the cycle of making agreements and then breaking them by implementing the 2014 Stormont House Agreement which has the backing of victims and families and is the best way of accessing truth and justice in a human rights compliant manner."
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20 October 2005
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford (pictured here) vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford (pictured here) vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
29 July 2009
NI Informant Payouts Revealed
Northern Ireland police informers were paid £299,000 during the last financial year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. The BBC, who submitted the request, learned that across the UK, police forces had handed out more than £6m for information on criminal activity while NI pay-outs ranked the third largest behind the £1.
NI Informant Payouts Revealed
Northern Ireland police informers were paid £299,000 during the last financial year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed. The BBC, who submitted the request, learned that across the UK, police forces had handed out more than £6m for information on criminal activity while NI pay-outs ranked the third largest behind the £1.
23 March 2009
Police Granted More Time Over Dissident Murder Probes
A further extension has been granted to the police investigating three dissident republican murders in Northern Ireland. The detectives have been granted a further seven days to question the suspects. A man and a woman are among those being held over the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll (pictured) in Co Armagh, as claimed by the Continuity IRA.
Police Granted More Time Over Dissident Murder Probes
A further extension has been granted to the police investigating three dissident republican murders in Northern Ireland. The detectives have been granted a further seven days to question the suspects. A man and a woman are among those being held over the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll (pictured) in Co Armagh, as claimed by the Continuity IRA.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.