Bill of rights plan 'fails agreement'
From The Irish News - 6th December 2001
PROPOSALS for a Northern Ireland bill of rights, have "failed the Good Friday agreement test", according to Sinn Féin.
The party's own submissions for the bill were launched yesterday by Sinn Féin human rights spokesman, Pat McNamee.
The Newry/Armagh assembly member said that, while the party welcomed many of the proposals contained in the consultation document published by the Human Rights Commission, it was flawed in a number of areas.
"Sinn Féin is committed to a wide-ranging bill of rights in the six counties as the first step towards enhancing and harmonising human rights standards throughout the island" Mr McNamee said.
He stressed the need for the bill to be constructed for the people of Northern Ireland and not the British or Irish governments.
"We do welcome many aspects of the Commission's consultation document and acknowledge that progress has been made in relation to democratic rights, social and economic rights and the rights of children" Mr McNamee said.
"However, basic human rights are non-negotiable. It appears the commission believes it can draft a bill of rights acceptable to the British government, or those within unionism opposed to change without regard for those who have actually suffered from institutional discrimination".
Sinn Féin proposals demand the inclusion of a section on 'parity of esteem', a principle contained in the agreement.
There is also a call for special recognition of the Irish language as the "indigenous language of this island".
Sinn Féin also press for an all-Ireland constitutional court to provide arbitration on human rights issues. |
