A practical guide to human rights & equality in Northern Ireland under the Protocol

There has been considerable concern that the UK’s exit from the European Union may weaken existing human rights and equality mechanisms in Northern Ireland.

A new Guide examines the provisions contained in two important agreements put in place to address these concerns: the IrelandNorthern Ireland Protocol and the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA).

The Guide was produced by the Northern Ireland-based Social Change Initiative, the Human Rights Centre at Queen’s University Belfast and the Donia Human Rights Centre at the University of Michigan.

It is hoped that the Guide will serve as a a useful resource for anyone interested in protecting and advancing rights in Northern Ireland.

It includes an examination of the provisions of the Protocol and the TCA, plus case studies examining scenarios on how the new agreements could be used to ensure the protection of existing rights and equality measures.

An international audience attended an online event to launch the Guide, which is available here: https://www.socialchangeinitiative.com/human-rights-and-equality-in-northern-ireland-under-the-protocol-a-practical-guide

The mechanisms created by the Protocol have given the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) a key role in ensuring there is no diminution of rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity.

Chief Commissioner at the NIHRC Alyson Kilpatrick and Chief Commissioner at the Equality Commission Geraldine McGahey spoke at the launch event.

Alyson Kilpatrick said the Guide would be a valuable resource to the public and to professionals.

“The commitment to the protection of rights and equality was central to the Belfast/Good Friday agreement,” she said.

Chief Commissioner at the Equality Commission Geraldine McGahey said the rights protections contained in the Protocol deserved closer consideration.

“It has not got a lot of media coverage. It is negative aspects and concerns about the Protocol that we hear most about, rather than this particular important aspect – the Protocol article 2 and how it can benefit everyone’s rights here in Northern Ireland.”