What’s the Bill for Rights

On the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, head honcho at the NI Human Rights Commission, Monica McWilliams, delivered the Commission’s advice to the NIO Minister, Paul Goggins.

Accepting the weight tome Goggins said he would read it (and at almost 300 pages that’s a lot of reading!) and there would be a consultation.

Comments were most vocal from unionist circles (two unionists who took part in the process stayed away from the big party) criticising the domination of NGOs in drafting the proposals.
The Bill of Rights, if passed, was intended to fill in any gaps left by the European Convention on Human Rights. Critics say the Bill of Rights could become a licence for lawyers to print money… plus ça change...plus c'est la même chose it is then!