The 2016 Annual Statement Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 The 2016 Annual Statement The 2016 Annual Statement Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 1 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 About us The NI Human Rights Commission (the Commission) protects and promotes the human rights of everyone in NI. We do this by: • keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in NI of law and practice relating to the The 2016 Annual Statement protection of human rights; • advising the Secretary of State for NI and the Executive Committee of the NI Assembly of legislative and other measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights; • advising the NI Assembly whether proposed legislation is compatible with human rights standards; • promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in NI by, for example, undertaking or commissioning or otherwise assisting research and educational activities. In addition, the Commission has powers to: • give assistance to individuals who apply to it for help in relation to proceedings involving law or practice concerning the protection of human rights; • bring proceedings involving law or practice concerning the protection of human rights; • institute, or intervene in, legal proceedings concerning human rights where it need not be a victim or potential victim of the unlawful act to which the proceedings relate; • conduct investigations, and; • require a person to provide information and documents in their possession, and to give oral evidence, in respect of an investigation; • enter a specified place of detention in NI, in respect of an investigation, and; • publish its advice and the outcome of its research and investigations. Our mission statement The Commission champions and guards the rights of all those who live in NI. Chief Commissioner: Les Allamby Commissioners: Christine Collins John Corey Milton Kerr QPM Grainia Long Alan McBride Marion Reynolds MBE Paul Yam MBE Director: Virginia McVea Deputy Director: Dr David Russell 2 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 The 2016 Annual Statement Acronyms CFREU Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union CAT Convention Against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CERD Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CRPD Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons ECHR European Convention on Human Rights ESC European Social Charter FCNM Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities HRA Human Rights Act ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, NI Northern Ireland UK United Kingdom UN United Nations 3 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 Understanding the annual statement The Commission’s annual statement uses a traffic light system to assist readers. Red identifies a subject that requires immediate action by the UK Government, NI Executive or relevant public authorities and the issue may be an ongoing violation or abuse of human rights within The 2016 Annual Statement NI. Amber identifies a subject that requires action by the UK Government, NI Executive or relevant public authorities. The issue may not be at a level that constitutes an ongoing violation or abuse of human rights. Initial steps toward providing an effective response could have already been taken or the necessity of taking action acknowledged by the relevant body. Such actions may have com- menced but are not yet completed. Green identifies a subject that has been acknowledged as requiring action to protect human rights in NI and an effective response has been provided by the UK Government, NI Executive or relevant public authorities. A firm commitment to address the matter will have been demonstrated and undertaken. 4 Human Rights in Northern Ireland 2016 The 2016 Annual Statement Contents Understanding the annual statement ..........................................................................4 Foreword ......................................................................................................................8 Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................9 Chapter 2 Substantive rights and issues ........................................................................ 12 Equality and non-discrimination ........................................................................................... 12 Consolidating, strengthening and clarifying equality protections ................................................................. 12 Age Discrimination ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Eligibility to donate blood ............................................................................................................................ 14 Extension of civil marriage to same sex couples ......................................................................................... 14 Gender equality strategy ............................................................................................................................. 15 Hate crimes ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Intersectional multiple discrimination .......................................................................................................... 17 Persons with disabilities ............................................................................................................................. 17 Racial equality strategy ............................................................................................................................... 18 Religious tolerance ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Sectarianism ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Sexual Orientation Strategy ........................................................................................................................ 20 Right to life ............................................................................................................................ 21 Conflict related deaths: transitional justice and individual cases ................................................................. 21 Legacy inquests and inquiries ..................................................................................................................... 23 Inquiries Act 2005 ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Rule of law: non-state actors ...................................................................................................................... 24 Prison Ombudsman ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Right to liberty and security of the person ........................................................................... 27 Alternatives to imprisonment ...................................................................................................................... 27 Imprisonment for fine default ...................................................................................................................... 28 Women in prison ........................................................................................................................................ 29 Imprisonment of children with adults .......................................................................................................... 29 The remand of children ............................................................................................................................... 30 Definition of terrorism ................................................................................................................................. 31 Powers of arrest under the Terrorism Act 2000 .......................................................................................... 32 Freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment ................................................... 33 Prison review and conditions ...................................................................................................................... 33 Strip searches ............................................................................................................................................ 34 Abuse in health and social care settings ..................................................................................................... 35 Historical abuse of children and adults........................................................................................................ 35 Domestic violence ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment overseas ........................ 38 Deprivation of citizenship 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