SUBMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS’ COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Parallel Report on the Sixth Periodic Report of the United Kingdom under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights September 2015 Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Temple Court, 39 North Street Belfast BT1 1NA Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 3987 Fax: +44 (0) 28 9024 7844 Textphone: +44 (0) 28 9024 9066 SMS Text: +44 (0) 7786 202075 Email:
[email protected] Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Ratification of Optional Protocol ........................................................................................................... 11 Involvement of NI Executive in treaty reporting .................................................................................... 12 Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission ........................................................................................ 12 Constitutional and legal framework .......................................................................................................... 13 Incorporation of economic, social and cultural rights ............................................................................ 13 Human Rights Act and proposed repeal ....................................................................................... 13 Relationship of Human Rights Act to NI peace agreements .........................................................