NI Justice Minister Addresses Human Rights Conference

Addressing delegates at The Future of Human Rights in the United Kingdom Conference in Belfast today, the Minister outlined how devolution presents a new opportunity to look for solution to problems in the best interests of Northern Ireland, and not just adopt what has been done in England and Wales.

And he said that human rights in Northern Ireland must be focused on the development of a shared community which respects individuals.

David Ford said: “Justice, human rights and the impartial rule of law are all interdependent and any new policy initiatives from the Department of Justice will reflect that.



“I know the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will be keeping a watchful eye on whatever proposals the Department will bring forward and I welcome their views as we seek to make use of our new opportunities.

“Devolution brings challenges as well as opportunities and as we start to reshape the justice system we have a real opportunity now to look afresh for local ideas and solutions as well as for examples of best practice internationally.

“Any reshaping will have to reflect the human rights framework in which we operate.”

The Minister also highlighted the challenge of striking the right balance between civil liberties and the protection of the public.

He said: “We must not allow the mistakes of the past to be repeated, where responses what would not have been acceptable in other parts of the UK were allowed here.

“Our response to those who use violence must demonstrate how far this community has moved on and how much further we want to go.

“We will build a safer Northern Ireland by keeping our focus on the future that we want to achieve rather than being diverted to the past that a tiny minority want to drag us back to.”

On the current Human Rights debate in Northern Ireland the Minister said: “Above all, we require a human rights framework which, while reflecting the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, is focused on the development of a shared community which respects individuals rather than on the permanent management of a divided community which recognises only two groups.”

(2010-09-17/egovmonitor)