Allister writes to McWilliams over Bill of Rights
07 May 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has written to the Human Rights Commissioner, Monica McWilliams, expressing a range of concerns about the Bill of Rights Forum Report.
Commenting Mr Allister said:
“The Bill of Rights Forum Report is an extremely misleading document. The vast majority of its contents is taken up with matters as diverse as the right to privacy and family life, to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, housing, work and other issues which appear uncontroversial. However, the truth is that these rights are already protected in UK, European and international law. Behind all this fluff there lies a host of very real threats.
“While being sceptical (to say the least) about the whole idea of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland I have written to Professor McWilliams taking particular issue with a number of recommendations in the report. Among the most concerning aspects are:
* The self-confessed failure of the Forum to reach out to unionist groups like the Orange Order;
* The proposal that a so-called “conflict-related convictions” should not act as a barrier to employment meaning that those who suffered at the hands of loyalist and republican terrorists could find themselves working alongside the perpetrators of these attacks;
* The lack of any protection for the life of unborn children;
* Additional provision for the Irish Language including the statement that; “Everyone has the right to communicate with any public authority and receive a response in Irish”. Quite apart from any political considerations, this is a most impractical suggestion which will result in huge additional cost to the public. It would also, logically, give an unfair advantage to Irish speakers when applying for employment with public authorities;
* The adoption of the OFMDFM definition of the term “victim” which puts the terrorist killed by his own bomb on the same level as the innocent victim murdered at Enniskillen, Omagh, Teeban or Kingsmill. Justice demands that a distinction be drawn between innocent victim and perpetrator.
* The age of criminal responsibility should be raised to 18 literally allowing teenagers to get away with murder and
* Preventing young adults from joining the armed forces before the age of 18 – creating a most unwelcome distinction between Northern Ireland the rest of the UK.
There is much in this report which will be opposed all right thinking people in Northern Ireland regardless of their political background. But it is particularly worrying for Unionists. The Bill draws an unwelcome distinction between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK where there are suggestions of a new British Bill of Rights. It is such a Bill which should govern the rights of all citizens in the UK. Equal citizenship, not disparate and detached citizenship is what is required.”
