Menu
13/05/2015
Plans To Scrap Human Rights Act Slammed
Sinn Féin has hit out at Theresa Villiers over the government's plans to scrap the Human Rights Act.
MLA Caitríona Ruane said the plans are "very worrying" but "not surprising".
"Reports that the British government are planning to scrap the Human Rights Act are very worrying," she said. "Theresa Villiers is fond of telling locally elected politicians on the need to implement agreements but seems to be oblivious to the fact that scrapping the Human Rights Act would result in a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised agreement, endorsed by the people in referenda and lodged with the United Nations."
Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has also spoken out against the plans. He said: "David Cameron is clearly buoyed by the slender majority that he has secured in Parliament, but I would urge him against making dangerous decisions such as the proposed removal of the Human Rights Act.
"Human rights are an essential part of modern democracies. They protect citizens from discrimination and oppression. They are too important to be playing politics with.
"I would be strongly opposed to the Prime Minister's proposal. Alliance will continue to support the Human Rights Act and work to ensure that it is not removed."
(CD/JP)
MLA Caitríona Ruane said the plans are "very worrying" but "not surprising".
"Reports that the British government are planning to scrap the Human Rights Act are very worrying," she said. "Theresa Villiers is fond of telling locally elected politicians on the need to implement agreements but seems to be oblivious to the fact that scrapping the Human Rights Act would result in a breach of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised agreement, endorsed by the people in referenda and lodged with the United Nations."
Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has also spoken out against the plans. He said: "David Cameron is clearly buoyed by the slender majority that he has secured in Parliament, but I would urge him against making dangerous decisions such as the proposed removal of the Human Rights Act.
"Human rights are an essential part of modern democracies. They protect citizens from discrimination and oppression. They are too important to be playing politics with.
"I would be strongly opposed to the Prime Minister's proposal. Alliance will continue to support the Human Rights Act and work to ensure that it is not removed."
(CD/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 December 2005
Human rights hold key to peace
The NI Human Rights Commission have organised a number of events to celebrate Human Rights Week. Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: “The aim of Human Rights Week is to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of human rights as a key ingredient for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, and peace.
Human rights hold key to peace
The NI Human Rights Commission have organised a number of events to celebrate Human Rights Week. Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said: “The aim of Human Rights Week is to increase the level of public awareness and understanding of human rights as a key ingredient for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, and peace.
20 October 2005
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
01 October 2001
RUC host international human rights conference
An international conference on human rights hosted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary began in Belfast on Monday. The two-day conference in the Hilton Hotel marks the first anniversary of the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law.
RUC host international human rights conference
An international conference on human rights hosted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary began in Belfast on Monday. The two-day conference in the Hilton Hotel marks the first anniversary of the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law.
30 November 2006
Human rights conference set for Belfast
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is inviting the public to celebrate Human Rights Week by attending a special conference taking place between December 7 and 8 at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast.
Human rights conference set for Belfast
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is inviting the public to celebrate Human Rights Week by attending a special conference taking place between December 7 and 8 at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
