06/05/2021
Human Rights Commission Challenges Law On Offenders Rehabilitation In NI
The Human Rights Commission is challenging the current law on the rehabilitation of offenders in Northern Ireland.
The current law prevents any convictions of more than 30 months in prison from ever becoming spent. The full hearing will be heard remotely at 10.30am on 6 May in the Judicial Review Court, Belfast.
Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Les Allamby stated: "The Human Rights Commission is supporting the applicant at Court today. Currently the law in Northern Ireland means that any conviction of over two and a half years in prison must always be disclosed, no matter what the circumstances and however long ago the offence was committed. There is also no review mechanism for past offenders. In this case, the applicant has not committed any criminal offence for 40 years yet continues to have to disclose a criminal record undermining the right to privacy. As a result, the applicant struggled to find work, obtain insurance and faced barriers that made living a normal, law abiding life more difficult.
"We recognise that in specific instances the lifetime disclosure of an offence is necessary in particular circumstances. However, we believe the current law is disproportionate and incompatible with the Right to Private and Family Life) under the European Convention on Human Rights. This case has been a catalyst for the first look at this specific issue since the law was introduced 43 years ago."
NIACRO and UNLOCK are supporting the Human Rights Commissions case.
The current law prevents any convictions of more than 30 months in prison from ever becoming spent. The full hearing will be heard remotely at 10.30am on 6 May in the Judicial Review Court, Belfast.
Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Les Allamby stated: "The Human Rights Commission is supporting the applicant at Court today. Currently the law in Northern Ireland means that any conviction of over two and a half years in prison must always be disclosed, no matter what the circumstances and however long ago the offence was committed. There is also no review mechanism for past offenders. In this case, the applicant has not committed any criminal offence for 40 years yet continues to have to disclose a criminal record undermining the right to privacy. As a result, the applicant struggled to find work, obtain insurance and faced barriers that made living a normal, law abiding life more difficult.
"We recognise that in specific instances the lifetime disclosure of an offence is necessary in particular circumstances. However, we believe the current law is disproportionate and incompatible with the Right to Private and Family Life) under the European Convention on Human Rights. This case has been a catalyst for the first look at this specific issue since the law was introduced 43 years ago."
NIACRO and UNLOCK are supporting the Human Rights Commissions case.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 February 2024
Online Business Ideas Gaining Traction In Northern Ireland
Are you looking for a new business venture that can be operated from the comfort of your own home? The rise of the internet has provided countless opportunities to start an online business and reach customers from all over the world.
Online Business Ideas Gaining Traction In Northern Ireland
Are you looking for a new business venture that can be operated from the comfort of your own home? The rise of the internet has provided countless opportunities to start an online business and reach customers from all over the world.
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.
13 March 2024
Public Appeal After Third Confirmed Case Of Measles In Ireland
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that it has been made aware of a third confirmed case of measles in the Republic of Ireland. It is understood that the case was confirmed in a resident of Ireland who had arrived back in the country from Abu Dhabi on Saturday 9 March 2024.
Public Appeal After Third Confirmed Case Of Measles In Ireland
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that it has been made aware of a third confirmed case of measles in the Republic of Ireland. It is understood that the case was confirmed in a resident of Ireland who had arrived back in the country from Abu Dhabi on Saturday 9 March 2024.
08 March 2007
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
HRC calls for improvements in treatment of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has marked today’s International Women’s Day by calling for improvements in the way women prisoners are treated in Northern Ireland.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly dry Tuesday but a chance of showers at times. Cloudier at first, but a chance of sunny spells breaking out through the day. Winds turning lighter. More cloud building before sunset. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Cloud and outbreaks of rain spread north through the evening and overnight, perhaps some drier and clearer spells developing in western counties around dawn. Minimum temperature 6 °C.