Human Rights Commission critical of NIO support

In its annual statement to the UN, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has criticised the Northern Ireland Office for providing inadequate funding and insufficient disclosure.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) annual report to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva summarises the Commission’s views about the current human rights situation in Northern Ireland.

While praising the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) for supporting the Commission’s efforts to win a court case in which it is seeking greater powers of intervention before judges, the report criticises the NIO for not funding it adequately and for not disclosing all the information the Commission needs to carry out its functions effectively.

Speaking before he presented the statement to the United Nations, the Northern Commission’s Chief Commissioner, Professor Brice Dickson, said: "This is an important opportunity for the Commission to tell the UN exactly what is happening in Northern Ireland as far as human rights are concerned - both the good news and the bad news. I am pleased to be able to update the UN on our work on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and on our activities concerning the implementation of UN human rights standards. I will also take the chance to flag up Mary Robinson’s planned visit to Northern Ireland next month."

The statement notes the positive developments concerning policing in Northern Ireland but regrets the tardiness of the UK government’s reaction to the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in May 2001 on the right to life.

Also highlighted are some flaws in the Justice (NI) Bill currently before Parliament and the level of paramilitary violence still evident in Northern Ireland.

(AMcE)