The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's cross-community party
|
|
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland's cross-community party |
|
| The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | <alliance@allianceparty.org> |
Government Must Act to Strengthen the Human Rights Commission12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Apr 2004 Responding to the criticisms of the Government voiced by NIHRC Chief Commissioner to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Alliance Party Justice and Human Rights Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has called upon the Government to reinforce the Human Rights Commission by appointing new commissioners and completing the review of its powers, in order that can fully fulfil its mandate under the Good Friday Agreement. Dr Farry stated: "The Governments have failed to properly support and reinforce the NI Human Rights Commission. "It would not be desirable to allow the current Commission to peter out and then replace all of the commissioners in early 2005 -- all sense of continuity would be thrown out the window. "The Bill of Rights project is perhaps the one area of the Agreement where implementation is furthest behind. This is not a reflection upon the professionalism and integrity of the Commission, but rather upon the political turmoil into which they have been thrown. "I am hopeful the Commission will be able to further progress its vital consultations and deliberations on the Bill of Rights over the course of this year, with a view to tabling formal recommendations to the Secretary of State. "To help them to do so, the Government must move to appoint some commissioners as soon as possible. If the appointments process is started now, new Commissioners could be in post by September. "Also, the remaining Commissioner who is not participating in the meetings of the Commission, but who is still receiving renumeration, should be given an ultimatum to decide between participating properly in the work of the body or leaving. "Unless action is taken in the near future, whether through neglect or design, there is a danger that the Commission will be turned into a lame duck. "The fate of the Commission must not be reduced to a bargaining chip within political negotiations -- it is far more important than that."
Bookmark this story at:
Related News Stories:Fri 16th Dec 2005: Government cannot pick and choose human rights: Farry. Mon 7th Mar 2005: 'Government Leaves Human Rights Commission in Limbo'. Wed 3rd Nov 2004: Residents taking 'Berlin wall' issue to Human Rights Commission. Wed 5th May 2004: Government Vote of Confidence in Human Rights Commission. Wed 19th Nov 2003: Human Rights - commissioners must clarify position. Thu 13th Nov 2003: Human Rights critics should clarify position. Mon 22nd Sep 2003: Alliance defends position on Human Rights Commission after Sinn Fein attack. Thu 14th Aug 2003: Alliance Explores Controversies with Human Rights Commission. Mon 21st Jul 2003: Alliance defends Human Rights Commission. Mon 31st Mar 2003: 'McGuinness's double standards on human rights'. 'McGuinness's double standards on human rights'. Sun 30th Mar 2003: 'McGuinness's double standards on human rights'. Mon 2nd Oct 2000: Alliance Celebrates Human Rights Day. Mon 1st Mar 1999: Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE. The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |
