BILL OF RIGHTS FORUM
The
Bill of Rights Forum, which was inaugurated in December 2006, consisted of 28 members - 14 from the main political parties and 14 representatives of civil society. The Human Rights Commission was not a member of the Forum and was independent from its work.
On 15 March 2007, the government confirmed the appointment of the leading Australian Human Rights lawyer, Chris Sidoti, as the Chair of the Forum. Since 2003, Mr Sidoti has been the Director of the
International Service for Human Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Formerly a Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the Australian Law Reform Commission, he was also the Foundation Director of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. He has also worked extensively in many countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, carrying out human rights training and advisory work. He is a visiting Professor at the University of Western Sydney and Griffith University in Australia.
The Forum completed its
report on 31 March 2008 and this work was used to inform the
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in fulfilling its statutory duty to provide advice to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights reflecting the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.
The Forum established seven working groups to examine
particular areas of Human Rights. Each working group had a convenor
and equal civic and political representation. The final reports of the working groups can be accessed below.
Preamble, Enforcement and Implementation Working Group Final ReportChildren and Young People Working Group Final ReportCivil and Political Rights Working Group Final ReportCriminal Justice and Victims Working Group Final ReportCulture, Identity and Language Working Group Final ReportEconomic and Social Rights Working Group Final ReportWomens Working Group Final Report