75% of people in Northern Ireland want a Bill of Rights
75% OF PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND FAVOUR A BILL OF RIGHTS - NEW SURVEY
Strong support for ‘peoples’ document’ should lead to choice over Bill’s content.
Seventy-five per cent of people in Northern Ireland support a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, it was revealed today, as a new survey was published showing the strength of feeling on the issue.
The poll, commissioned by the Human Rights Consortium, asked a cross-section of people across Northern Ireland the question “How important or not do you think it is for Northern Ireland to have a Bill of Rights?” Seventy-five per cent of respondents replied positively saying that it was important or very important. The survey, conducted shortly before Christmas, coincides with a new campaign from the Human Rights Consortium calling for people in Northern Ireland to have their say on the content of a Bill of Rights.
Welcoming the survey results, Human Rights Consortium Chairperson, Fiona McCausland, said:
“The results of this survey confirm that there is huge support in Northern Ireland for our own Bill of Rights.
“A Bill of Rights is about protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Children living in poverty and people with disabilities who have unequal access to services are just two examples of groups who would undoubtedly benefit from a strong Bill of Rights.
“The real issue now is for this support to be translated into agreement on a strong Bill of Rights by our political parties and the Bill of Rights Forum.
“It is also important that people have their say on the actual content of the Bill of Rights. It will, after all, be the people’s document and must reflect their needs.
“The public can make the Bill of Rights as strong as possible simply by going to http://www.billofrightsni.org and voicing their wishes.”
Provision for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland was included in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrew’s Agreement. The St Andrew’s Agreement established a Bill of Rights Forum consisting of 14 civil and 14 political representatives, and one chairperson, Australian Human Rights Lawyer Chris Sidoti. Each of the five main political parties are involved in the Forum’s work, which is charged with making recommendations to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the content of a Bill of Rights by the 31st March 2008.
This recent poll shows strengthening support for a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland.
In a similar survey commissioned by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in 2004 the level of support for a Bill of Rights was measured to be at 69%.
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Comments
Having lived in Northern Ireland for 6 years now and originally from Canada, I believe that the time is now for people in Northern Ireland to have a Bill of Rights. This Bill of Rights should officially recognise the contributions that both traditions have introduced and that of the other various rich cultures who have made Northern Ireland “home”. I await what this legislation will say so that all of us can all make positive differences and enhance everyone’s capacity and self esteem.
You judge any society by how it cares for and protects it’s citizens, especially the weakest in that society regardless of class, colour or creed, I can’t understand how anyone could object to a bill of rights for EVERYONE!
We do not need this expensive folly. The present advertising campaign uses vague information to drum up support for a Bill, which amongst its many flaws, will disappoint because it raises unrealistic expectations. For example, so many children live in poverty. Is this relative or absolute poverty? This campaign promises the earth but refuses to publish the price.
the fact that so many children are lving in poverty whether relative or absolute is entirely unacceptable in such a prosperous society. The Bill of Rights is an opportunity to safeguard the protecions of all children so that they dont have to live in poverty. Its a way of forcing the government to live up to its obligations under the UNCRC which it signed up to 18 years ago!The Bill of Rights gives ordinary people a opportunity to have their needs met and rights respected by the State.There are no excuses any more.
Thats great news and it flies in the face of what some unionist politicans are saying about their community not being interested in a Bill of Rights, presuming the Poll wasnt carried out among Nationalists alone.
By sarah on 22nd Jan 2008