Unionists react angrily to proposed Bill of Rights

[Young Ned]

Unionists react angrily to proposed Bill of Rights - The Irish Times - Thu, Dec 11, 2008

I was wondering if anyone knows the specifics of this bill of rights? I note this paragraph in the story

The commission said its document complied with the highest international human rights standards. It stresses the need for a right to equality, education, freedom from violence, exploitation, harassment and discrimination.It also calls for a right to identity, culture, language rights, democratic rights, rights to liberty and a fair trial.

That seems reasonable enough to me. What are the Unionists reacting to? I assume it's the culture, identity, language thing. Does anyone know what their grievances actually are, and is it a politically viable thing to do, coming out against a bill of rights, or is the bill of rights actually that flawed?

[Ulster-Lad]

Unionists react angrily to proposed Bill of Rights - The Irish Times - Thu, Dec 11, 2008

I was wondering if anyone knows the specifics of this bill of rights? I note this paragraph in the story


That seems reasonable enough to me. What are the Unionists reacting to? I assume it's the culture, identity, language thing. Does anyone know what their grievances actually are, and is it a politically viable thing to do, coming out against a bill of rights, or is the bill of rights actually that flawed?

The Unionists disagree with all the items listed in your quote.

[Young Ned]

The Unionists disagree with all the items listed in your quote.

Well, if the bill really isn't one-sided and a genuine attempt at providing a shield to *all* citizens from government abuse, coming out against this would be like voting against food for children, wouldn't it?

[sadie85]

Well, if the bill really isn't one-sided and a genuine attempt at providing a shield to *all* citizens from government abuse, coming out against this would be like voting against food for children, wouldn't it?

I agree......

[Munion]

This is one of those issues where we'd really have to see the text.

If the Unionists would point out specific lines, paragraphs etc. they have issues with.

[sadie85]

The Unionists disagree with all the items listed in your quote.

The commission said its document complied with the highest international human rights standards. It stresses the need for a right to equality, education, freedom from violence, exploitation, harassment and discrimination.It also calls for a right to identity, culture, language rights, democratic rights, rights to liberty and a fair trial.

Of course they do lol

[Young Ned]

This is one of those issues where we'd really have to see the text.

If the Unionists would point out specific lines, paragraphs etc. they have issues with.

I was actually hoping that someone who saw the thread might have some more insight than what the article provides.

[sadie85]

Bill of Rights
The Human Rights Commission is required by statute to advise the Secretary of State on the scope for defining, in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland to be enacted by Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998 states that the Bill should reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience.

In this section you will find a wide range of material produced by the Commission on the project, since 2000, including:
Advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, presented to the Government on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2008
Earlier consultation documents on the proposed Bill
Feedback and summaries of responses to earlier consultations
You can also find information about the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland project on our dedicated website: www.borini.info


Background to a Bill of Rights

A Bill of Rights is a list of basic rights that everyone in the state is entitled to enjoy. These rights normally only bind public institutions, although, in some countries, such as South Africa, private bodies are covered. Usually individuals can seek remedies in their local courts for alleged infringements of these rights and in some instances organisations can take cases if they feel a breach has occurred. In most cases a Bill of Rights is included in the country's constitution, for example, India, USA, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

In many countries a Bill of Rights is the "supreme law" which ensures that local parliaments cannot pass laws that infringe people's rights under it. Some countries also "entrench" a Bill of Rights which means that the Bill is established firmly in the law of the land. This doesn't mean that a Bill of Rights can never be changed once enacted but that it is more difficult to change than ordinary law. For example, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission could advise the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that a special majority or a referendum should be required if changes are to be made to the Bill of Rights once it is enacted.

The process

A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland was promised to the people of Northern Ireland by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, 1998. Following this agreement, the Northern Ireland Act of 1998 established the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and gave it specific duties in relation to a Bill of Rights. The Commission is directed by section 69(7) to "advise" the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what should be in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

The Bill is to "reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experience".

The Commission is also to consider whether and how to formulate:
(1) a general obligation on Government and public bodies fully to respect, on the basis of equality of treatment, the identity and ethos of both communities in Northern Ireland, and

(2) rights not to be discriminated against and to equality of opportunity in both the public and private sectors.

The rights it contains are to reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem.

In order to give the best advice the Commission has been engaged in a comprehensive consultation process. It has received over 600 submissions from individuals and agencies and organised a large number of public meetings, seminars and training events throughout Northern Ireland to ensure that as many views as possible are heard.

Areas where new rights may be required

The Commission was asked to advise on rights which reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland and that are additional to the European Convention on Human Rights. In its advice to government of 10 December 2008, the Commission made a number of recommendations for inclusion in a Bill of Rights, including:
right to equality and prohibition of discrimination
right to health
education rights
freedom from violence, exploitation and harassment
right to identity and culture
right to civil and administrative justice
rights to liberty and fair trial
language rights
rights of victims
democratic rights
right to an adequate standard of living
right to accommodation
right to work
environmental rights, and
children's rights
The Commission provided its advice to government in compliance with international human rights standards. It has carefully considered how its recommendations reflect the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and parity of esteem. It acknowledges that the rights and needs of others must be protected and believes that both these objectives can be best achieved through a Bill of Rights that reflects a common commitment to fairness, equality and justice for all.

[corelli]

Generally speaking, some Unionists see the Bill as part of a nationalist agenda that, somehow, threatens them. Saying that, I would like to see specifics.

The PUP have welcomed it, however.

Its all a nonsense anyway. NI is covered by the UK Human Rights Act. There is no need for it. It was a sop to nationalists in the Good Friday Agreements.

[sadie85]

Generally speaking, some Unionists see the Bill as part of a nationalist agenda that, somehow, threatens them. Saying that, I would like to see specifics.

The PUP have welcomed it, however.

Its all a nonsense anyway. NI is covered by the UK Human Rights Act. There is no need for it. It was a sop to nationalists in the Good Friday Agreements.

How can a right minded person see the want for the of the language and culture of their country to have the same recognistion as that of the British one in their country as a threatening nationalist agenda?

Nice to see the PUP living up to their name a bit...