Bill Of Rights Sparks Disagreement

A report that makes recommendations on a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland has been condemned.

Unionists have slammed the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which yesterday presented its report to the Government, with suggestions on how a Bill should be drafted.

Unionists said the report is 'green' in agenda and features language and other protections, which would dilute 'Britishness' and boost republicanism.

They also believe it does not make a distinction between victims of violence and terrorists who were victims.

However, speaking at the handover to Minister of State Paul Goggins, the organisation's Chief Commissioner Professor Monica McWilliams (pictured) said: "We are recommending that the contents of a Bill of Rights reflect the safeguards and protections of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement."

The Government must now consult on a Bill based on the views of the commission and of the public.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the party rejected the use of a Bill of Rights "as a Trojan horse for the political prejudices of some of the forum members" - a reference to nationalists and republicans.

UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy said the commission's proposals would be judged on two tests: "Firstly, do they take power away from democratically-elected representatives and give them to unelected judges? Secondly, would they be acceptable elsewhere in the United Kingdom?"

TUV leader Jim Allister said: "I reject the principle of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Her Majesty's Government is currently pursuing a Bill of Rights for the UK as a whole. Northern Ireland should not be excluded from this process and treated as a place apart."

But, Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson responded by challenged unionists to "explain to their electorate why they reject key rights for the people they represent".

(BMcC)