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07/03/2005
PSNI praised for human rights efforts
The PSNI has been praised for its role in promoting human rights within the force, a report has said today.
The report, by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, is the first of its kind within UK policing providing “a detailed examination and assessment of the integration of human rights in 12 key areas of the PSNI’s work."
The report’s authors, Keir Starmer QC and Jane Gordon, said that the PSNI "has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance and in many respects we have been very impressed with the work the PSNI has undertaken in the human rights field".
They added: “The fact that a range of recommendations have been made does not mean we have found widespread lack of compliance with the Human Rights Act".
In providing an assessment of progress made by the PSNI, the Board’s Advisors said: “Whilst a high numbers of officers across all ranks and with varying lengths of service demonstrate a good base level knowledge of human rights, the PSNI must ensure that officers maintain, develop and apply that knowledge in their work.
“It is therefore essential that human rights principles are fully integrated into all aspects of PSNI training and areas of concern identified in relation to training and other areas of this report are given urgent attention.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie said the report acknowledged the advances the PSNI had made in ensuring that Human Rights lay at the heart of policing.
“The report acknowledges that the initiatives introduced by the PSNI go well beyond those adopted by most other police services and that it has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance,” she said.
However, Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said today’s report “lacked credibility”.
“This is nothing less than self congratulatory nonsense that will do nothing to generate confidence in the PSNI,” Mr Kelly said.
The report, which is a study of how police have complied with the act from 2003 onwards, was handed to Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Monday.
(MB)
The report, by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, is the first of its kind within UK policing providing “a detailed examination and assessment of the integration of human rights in 12 key areas of the PSNI’s work."
The report’s authors, Keir Starmer QC and Jane Gordon, said that the PSNI "has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance and in many respects we have been very impressed with the work the PSNI has undertaken in the human rights field".
They added: “The fact that a range of recommendations have been made does not mean we have found widespread lack of compliance with the Human Rights Act".
In providing an assessment of progress made by the PSNI, the Board’s Advisors said: “Whilst a high numbers of officers across all ranks and with varying lengths of service demonstrate a good base level knowledge of human rights, the PSNI must ensure that officers maintain, develop and apply that knowledge in their work.
“It is therefore essential that human rights principles are fully integrated into all aspects of PSNI training and areas of concern identified in relation to training and other areas of this report are given urgent attention.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie said the report acknowledged the advances the PSNI had made in ensuring that Human Rights lay at the heart of policing.
“The report acknowledges that the initiatives introduced by the PSNI go well beyond those adopted by most other police services and that it has done more than any police service in the UK to achieve human rights compliance,” she said.
However, Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said today’s report “lacked credibility”.
“This is nothing less than self congratulatory nonsense that will do nothing to generate confidence in the PSNI,” Mr Kelly said.
The report, which is a study of how police have complied with the act from 2003 onwards, was handed to Chief Constable Hugh Orde on Monday.
(MB)
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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.
05 December 2005
Human rights hold key to peace
The NI Human Rights Commission have organised a number of events to celebrate Human Rights Week. Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: “The aim of Human Rights Week is to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of human rights as a key ingredient for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, and peace.
Human rights hold key to peace
The NI Human Rights Commission have organised a number of events to celebrate Human Rights Week. Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: “The aim of Human Rights Week is to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of human rights as a key ingredient for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, and peace.
05 September 2006
Policing Board Human Rights report published
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has today published its second annual report on how the PSNI is meeting its responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998. The report also reveals that nearly two thirds of the recommendations made in the Policing Board’s Human Rights Annual Report 2005 had been fully implemented.
Policing Board Human Rights report published
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has today published its second annual report on how the PSNI is meeting its responsibilities under the Human Rights Act 1998. The report also reveals that nearly two thirds of the recommendations made in the Policing Board’s Human Rights Annual Report 2005 had been fully implemented.
04 September 2001
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
