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26/01/2005
NI Human Rights Commission hit out at ‘house arrest’ plans
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has criticised today’s announcement by Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, that the detention of foreign terror suspects without trial is to be replaced by a form of “house arrest”.
The Home Secretary's proposed "control orders" would also cover UK citizens and follow a Law Lords ruling that the detentions contravened European human rights laws.
However, in a statement released today the Commission said it was firmly against the use of indefinite detention without trial.
Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson, said: “Although we welcome today’s decision by Government that the indefinite detention in prison without trial of terror suspects in Britain breaches human rights laws, the use of controls such as home arrest raises further concerns and may well need a new opt-out for Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“We believe the Government needs to launch a wider review of its use of anti-terrorism powers and that the experience of Northern Ireland should be closely examined as part of this exercise.”
Professor Dickson said the Commission was calling on the government to put in place alternative measures that “are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and with the Council of Europe’s guidelines on countering terrorism while protecting human rights”.
He said: “We have suggested the use of intercept evidence, tagging devices and better protection for informers and agents rather than the use of indefinite detention without trial."
Today’s announcement by Mr Clarke comes as 12 men continue to be detained without trial under the existing powers introduced after the US terror attacks on 11 September 2001.
Deals are already being sought to deport some of the men who are currently being held in Belmarsh Prison, London.
(MB/SP)
The Home Secretary's proposed "control orders" would also cover UK citizens and follow a Law Lords ruling that the detentions contravened European human rights laws.
However, in a statement released today the Commission said it was firmly against the use of indefinite detention without trial.
Chief Commissioner Professor Brice Dickson, said: “Although we welcome today’s decision by Government that the indefinite detention in prison without trial of terror suspects in Britain breaches human rights laws, the use of controls such as home arrest raises further concerns and may well need a new opt-out for Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights.
“We believe the Government needs to launch a wider review of its use of anti-terrorism powers and that the experience of Northern Ireland should be closely examined as part of this exercise.”
Professor Dickson said the Commission was calling on the government to put in place alternative measures that “are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and with the Council of Europe’s guidelines on countering terrorism while protecting human rights”.
He said: “We have suggested the use of intercept evidence, tagging devices and better protection for informers and agents rather than the use of indefinite detention without trial."
Today’s announcement by Mr Clarke comes as 12 men continue to be detained without trial under the existing powers introduced after the US terror attacks on 11 September 2001.
Deals are already being sought to deport some of the men who are currently being held in Belmarsh Prison, London.
(MB/SP)
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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.
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.
24 March 2009
Teen Denies Police Murder Charge
A teenager has appeared in court to deny murdering police officer Constable Stephen Carroll, 48, who was shot dead in Craigavon on Monday 9 March. He was in the dock at Lisburn Magistrates Court where the court was told he "made no reply to the charges", when they were put to him.
Teen Denies Police Murder Charge
A teenager has appeared in court to deny murdering police officer Constable Stephen Carroll, 48, who was shot dead in Craigavon on Monday 9 March. He was in the dock at Lisburn Magistrates Court where the court was told he "made no reply to the charges", when they were put to him.
08 March 2007
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
08 July 2003
Human Rights Commission rocked by third resignation
Patrick Yu has become the third member of the Human Rights Commission in Northern Ireland to resign during the past twelve months. Handing in his resignation on Monday, Mr Yu said he felt his position on the board had become untenable due to the commission's approach to human rights and issues of equality.
Human Rights Commission rocked by third resignation
Patrick Yu has become the third member of the Human Rights Commission in Northern Ireland to resign during the past twelve months. Handing in his resignation on Monday, Mr Yu said he felt his position on the board had become untenable due to the commission's approach to human rights and issues of equality.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
