http://www.billofrightsni.org/news/ en louise@billofrightsni.org Copyright 2010 2010-07-14T11:12:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/raising_awareness_of_human_rights_in_east_belfast/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/raising_awareness_of_human_rights_in_east_belfast/#When:11:12:00Z The Human Rights Consortium, as part of the Lower Castlereagh Community Group’s Summer Festival, played host to a day of interactive workshops, information and discussions at Avoniel Leisure Centre, Saturday 10th of July. The event, which helped raise awareness of human rights in the area, allowed all members of the community to get involved in discussing the potential of implementing a human rights based approach toward issues including health, education, housing and employment in order to promote community development. Interactive workshops allowed children to creatively explore the significance of human rights and the importance of protecting, respecting and fulfilling those rights in their everyday lives. Representatives from the Participation and the Practice of Rights Project (PPR), the Lower Castlereagh Community Group (LCCG), the East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA) and the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN) shared their experience of working with local communities and offered residents the opportunity to get involved in various rights projects. Fiona McCausland, Chairperson of the Human Rights Consortium and Chair of the discussion panel at the event said, “In the current economic climate where budget cuts are severe, awareness of our rights has never been more important. These workshops are an excellent way to highlight to local communities, the importance of knowing, protecting and respecting our rights. Awareness is the first step to ensuring equality for everyone and is the building block for a more peaceful and respectful Northern Ireland.” Sam White, Chairperson of the Lower Castlereagh Community Group added “It has been great to have the Human Rights Consortium host these workshops to raise awareness of human rights and how they relate to the lives of people in East Belfast.” Children from East Belfast get involved in the Human Rights Consortium’s human rights awareness raising day at Avoniel Leisure Centre, East Belfast 2010-07-14T11:12:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/public_thanked_for_their_support/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/public_thanked_for_their_support/#When:11:43:01Z The government’s public consultation, ‘A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Steps’ came to an end on March 31st. During the consultation the Human Rights Consortium called upon the public to show their support for the inclusion of social and economic protections in any perspective Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland by responding to the consultation using the postcards that were being sent to every home. We would like to thank all those who took up this call to action and lent their voice to the campaign for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights. The Consortium received over 34,000 signatures from the public during our campaign, with submissions originating from all communities, backgrounds and districts in Northern Ireland. This vast response has sent a very clear message to the Secretary of State that the people of Northern Ireland want, and deserve, a Bill of Rights specific to Northern Ireland that protects rights like health, housing, education and other bread and butter issues that are of real significance to the vast majority of people in Northern Irealnd. Although the government’s consultation has ended the campaign for a strong Bill of Rights has not. The Consortium will continue with its campaign to achieve a robust and enforceable Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland that secures the socio-economic protections that are so crucial in providing a safety net to the most vulnerabe in society and which will also hold our politicans to account on the delivery of basic protections for the things that matter most to us all. A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland was mandated in the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement and the Consortium will strive to ensure the deliverance of this mandate by all parties. 2010-05-17T11:43:01+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/consortium_publish_consultation_response/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/consortium_publish_consultation_response/#When:11:49:00Z The Human Rights Consortium today published its response to the government consultation ‘A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Steps’. Although more than 80 of the Consortium’s members submitted individual in-depth responses a number of common threads and concerns were shared by all members meriting a collective response from the Human Rights Consortium. To view the Consortium’s full response please click here 2010-04-13T11:49:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/record_numbers_support_bill_of_rights/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/record_numbers_support_bill_of_rights/#When:09:11:01Z RECORD NUMBERS SUPPORT BILL OF RIGHTS As the four month consultation by the UK government on a Bill of Rights draws to a close, members of the Human Rights Consortium will today deliver 32,000 signatures of support from the general public for a strong Bill of Rights to the offices of the Secretary of State. The signatures were gathered in response to a mail delivery to every home in Northern Ireland, in which people have indicated their support for a strong Bill of Rights that protects everyone, that protects rights like health, housing and education, and that is effective and enforceable. Chairperson of the Human Rights Consortium, Fiona McCausland said: “We put out the call, and the people of Northern Ireland responded in their tens of thousands.  The figures are not about support for our campaign – they are about support for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.  By replying in such numbers, the people have indicated their clear wish for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights.  This support, together with the recent polling carried out, sends a clear message to the Secretary of State that the current proposals simply do not measure up to what is required and desired.” She continued: “A strong Bill of Rights is not about enforcing the wishes of one community in another, nor is it divisive as some have claimed.  On the contrary, the evidence overwhelmingly shows support for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights from right across the community in Northern Ireland.  This is one of the few times in Northern Ireland’s history that people are on the same page, and it is now time for those who would want to deny or dismiss this support to step up to the mark and respond in earnest to the wishes of ordinary people here.” The Human Rights Consortium which spearheaded the initiative is a coalition of over 150 community and voluntary groups, trade unions and non-governmental organisations such as Age Concern Help the Aged, Disability Action, Unison and Save the Children.  Its members are also expected to respond in great numbers to the consultation. ENDS 2010-04-01T09:11:01+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/poll_shows_public_want_more_in_bill_of_rights_than_government_proposals/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/poll_shows_public_want_more_in_bill_of_rights_than_government_proposals/#When:10:10:00Z New public polling statistics revealed today have shown strong public support for the inclusion of additional social and economic rights in current Government proposals on a Bill of Rights.  The Government’s consultation document, published on November 30th 2009, presents a number options for discussion but only two actual enforceable rights, the right to vote and be elected and the right to identify as British, Irish or both. The recent polling commissioned by the Human Rights Consortium and conducted by market research agency Millward Brown Ulster surveyed a 1,000 strong fully representative sample of the Northern Ireland adult population.  Members of the public were first asked whether they supported the inclusion of the two rights suggested by the Government within a Bill of Rights. Support for the right to vote or be elected being either important or very important came back at 97% and the right to identify as British, Irish or both being important or very important came back at 86%. When people were asked whether they felt these two rights alone were adequate provisions for inclusion in a Bill of Rights 40% of people felt the two rights were sufficient while 44% felt they weren’t enough. However, when polled on whether they believed it was important or not to have rights to adequate accommodation, to work, to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and to an adequate standard of living included in a Bill of Rights, between 93 to 95% of respondents felt that this was either ‘important or very important’ to have these rights. Those polled were then asked again whether they believed the right freely to vote and the right to identify yourself and be accepted as Irish or British or both were enough rights to include, or whether there should be more rights included in the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. In response 83% of people felt that there should be more than the two rights recommended by government included in the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. This was reflected in the community breakdown with 87% of Catholics and 80% of Protestants saying the two proposed rights were not enough. Additionally in a final question 80% of people said they supported the introduction of a Bill of Rights specific to Northern Ireland. The Government proposals on a Bill of Rights have been rejected by a range of civic society organisations, academics and experts since being published and today’s polling results suggest that this view is shared by the general public.  Human Rights Consortium Campaigns Manager, Kevin Hanratty, said. “These latest figures continue to show huge public support for a Bill of Rights which contains meaningful rights on everyday issues that matter - such as healthcare, housing and jobs. The Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, must take into account this data and engage in a meaningful consultation that truly reflects the Bill of Rights that was promised in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The results are strikingly clear and should send a powerful message to the Secretary of State as he decides where next for a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland. The majority of people in Northern Ireland want a strong and meaningful Bill of Rights that protects bread and butter issues – it’s time to deliver.” The deadline for submissions to the public consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is March 31st.  To view the full polling statistics please click here 2010-03-12T10:10:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/bill_of_rights_consultation_extended/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/bill_of_rights_consultation_extended/#When:11:37:00Z Campaigners for the introduction of a Bill of Rights are urging people across Northern Ireland to use the recent consultation extension as an opportunity to have their voice heard. The Human Rights Consortium is encouraging everyone to log on and sign an online petition that backs its call for a strong, inclusive Bill that protects all. The Consortium, which has a 150 strong membership spanning the community and voluntary sector, trade unions and NGOs, has already received the backing of thousands of people across Northern Ireland for its high profile campaign which calls for a strong Bill of Rights that contains protection for issues such as housing, work and healthcare. Kevin Hanratty, Campaigns Manager Human Rights Consortium, said: “Thousands of people have joined the campaign already to let the Secretary of State know how important a strong Bill of Rights is to people here. This is one element of the Agreement which politicians still need to deliver and we would urge everyone to log on to http://www.billofrightsni.org add their name and pass it on to everyone they know.” The public consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland will now run until March 31st, 2010. ENDS 2010-03-09T11:37:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/signature_defends_the_rights_of_the_deaf/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/signature_defends_the_rights_of_the_deaf/#When:10:44:00Z Pam Tilson, Communications Manager for Signature Northern Ireland, this week made a submission to the Secretary of State outlining the organisation’s position on a Bill of Rights for NI. Signature is a UK recognised awarding body and registered charity whose aim is to improve communication between deaf and hearing people. The organisation offers a portfolio of qualifications in sign language and other forms of communication with deaf and deafblind people. Signature has been a member of the Human Rights Consortium since June 2008 and has played a valuable role in bringing the concerns and needs of deaf and deafblind people to the Bill of Rights debate. The organisation argued that the government consultation document was unsatisfactory and has rejected the document as a worthy foundation for the introduction of an adequate Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. To read the full submission from Signature please click here.  2010-03-09T10:44:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/submission_from_wcpn/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/submission_from_wcpn/#When:11:15:00Z This week the Highfield Women’s Group and The Women’s Common Paths Network responded to the consultation paper ‘A Bill Of Rights For Northern Ireland: Next Steps’. Highfield Women’s Group was established in 2007 to empower and educate all female members of the Highfield community, a Protestant enclave in West Belfast.  The group aims to achieve this education through consultation with all members of Highfield community, by working together on single identity work and also on a cross community level, to deal directly with the legacy of the conflict. The network covers four interface areas: The Markets, Turf-Lodge, Bleach Green, and various other interface areas. All members have been directly and indirectly affected by the last 30 years of the conflict. Members of the group are advocating for peace and reconciliation as well as social and econmoic securities for their respective communities. Responding to the Bill of Rights consultation was therefore something the members felt strongly about. In their response the groups noted, ‘The current consultation document published by the NIO fails to deliver human rights protections of any substance for the people of Northern Ireland.  Therefore our groups do not accept this document as a template to develop a suitable Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.’ To read the full submission from the two groups please click here 2010-03-04T11:15:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/womens_sector_submit_response_to_bill_of_rights_consultation/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/womens_sector_submit_response_to_bill_of_rights_consultation/#When:09:44:00Z The Womens ad hoc Policy Group this week submitted its response to the government consultation. On 9 February 2010 the Group organised an event, held in the Equality Commission, to consider the NIO Consultation and to enable the women’s sector to develop a response. Members of the group have been closely connected with the issue of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland since it was first proposed in the Good Friday Agreement. The group meets monthly and is comprised of a diverse range of organisations, individuals and trade unions who are concerned with influencing relevant government policies with the aim of promoting gender equality.  The group has submitted a detailed response to the consultation giving consideration to individual categories such as physical integrity, health, equality, international obligations and gender neutrality.However, the response made by the group is also highly critical of the ‘Next Steps’ document put forward by the government, stating: ‘We do not propose to enter into an analysis of what has been suggested in the NIO Consultation paper as to do so would be to legitimise a series of propositions and suggestions that fail to reflect any gender imperatives in the realization of rights. We are categorically of the belief that the “Next Steps” document proposed by the NIO fails in its entirety to address and redress the historic and current disadvantages and rights violations facing women within Northern Ireland.  ’ For a full version of the Womens ad hoc Policy Group repsonse click here.  2010-02-19T09:44:00+00:00 http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/world_strongman_adds_pulling_power_to_bill_of_rights_campaign/ http://www3.billofrightsni.org/news_and_events/article/world_strongman_adds_pulling_power_to_bill_of_rights_campaign/#When:10:38:00Z WORLD STRONGMAN ADDS PULLING POWER TO BILL OF RIGHTS CAMPAIGN International strongman Glenn Ross will today put his impressive, 36-stone frame behind the launch of a major campaign to introduce a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland by pulling a double-decker bus outside City Hall in Belfast. Ross will be joined in his attempt by pupils from Malone Integrated College, Belfast. The show of strength by Ross and the young people will today send a clear message that the weak can be made strong.  This dovetails with the Consortium’s message that a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland will empower and protect the weak and the vulnerable, and those of us in society who are strong can help deliver this. Through their combined strength they will show that by working together much can be achieved, an example many can follow by adding their strength to the campaign for a strong Bill of Rights. Human Rights Consortium spokesperson Fiona McCausland said:  “Glenn’s efforts today show just what can be achieved when you put your mind to it. Our campaign is about giving everyone the opportunity to have their voice heard and to make the weak powerful.  Billboards and buses across Northern Ireland are sending out a clear signal “Don’t be done out of your rights” and give details of how people can show their support - by text, by e-mail, and by filling out the mailer being sent to every home. By giving their support to the campaign every person from every walk of life can get involved and shape the future of Northern Ireland.  The government needs to realise the strength of the support for the inclusion of rights such as health, education and a decent standard of living in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. I would encourage everyone, ‘Don’t be done out of your rights’, and put your weight behind our campaign.” 2010-01-18T10:38:00+00:00