Committees

Equality and Human Rights Commissions give evidence to Protocol Sub-Committee

13 September 2021

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee takes evidence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) for its investigation into Article 2 of the Protocol (rights of individuals). 

Article 2 of the Protocol, on rights of individuals, states that “the United Kingdom shall ensure that no diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity”, as set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. It also states that the UK shall implement this commitment through “dedicated mechanisms”, including facilitation of the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, set up pursuant to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

This evidence session is an opportunity to hear from representatives of the NIHRC and ECNI about their work in relation to Article 2, and to inform the Committee’s scrutiny of this aspect of the Protocol.

Witnesses

Wednesday 15 September at 4:00pm

  • Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  • Éilis Haughey, Head of Service (Dedicated Mechanism – EU Withdrawal), Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  • Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
  • Roisín Mallon, Director, Dedicated Mechanism Unit, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Possible questions

  • What are your new responsibilities in relation to Article 2 of the Protocol and how are you seeking to fulfil them?
  • How does Article 2 of the Protocol interact with the relevant provisions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement?
  • What are the key issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, in relation to the implementation of Article 2?
  • What do you see as the respective responsibilities of the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to Article 2?
  • Who are your key human rights and civil society stakeholders in Northern Ireland and beyond, and how much engagement have you had with them?
  • What engagement have you had with the EU in relation to your Article 2 responsibilities? What issues are you drawing to their attention?
  • How will you monitor relevant developments in EU law?
  • What challenges have arisen, or do you envisage will arise, from the UK’s commitment to “no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity” in Northern Ireland?

Further information