FREEDOM OF INFORMATION The Freedom of Information Act was passed by the UK Parliament in 2000 and came fully into force from 1 January 2005. It is designed to promote openness by all public bodies and gives individuals a broader right of access to information than was previously the case. This means that any person, who makes a request to a public authority for information, must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and if so, that information must be supplied (subject to certain exemptions). The Information Commission oversees the implementation of Freedom of Information (and also has responsibilities for data protection). To find out more about your rights CLICK HERE to visit the website of the Information Commission. Requesting Information In working towards implementing the Act's obligations, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission produced a Publication Scheme which is a guide to the kinds of information that we hold. If you wish to request information from us please check our Publication Scheme first as the information may already be available. View our Scheme below :- PUBLICATION SCHEME: A GUIDE TO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTHERN IRELAND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 1. Introduction to the Commission The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a body set up by section 68 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as a consequence of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement of 10 April 1998. Its purpose is to protect and promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The members of the Commission are appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. A list of the current members can be found on the Commission's website or obtained from the office at the address below. The Commission receives its funding from the Northern Ireland Office (a department of the UK Government). The Commission is completely independent from the UK Government and from every other organisation. It is recognised by the United Nations as a "National Human Rights Institution". How to contact the Commission The Commission has its offices in the centre of Belfast, at: Temple Court, 39 North Street, Belfast, BT1 1NA Tel: 028 9024 3987. Fax: 028 9024 7844. Email: info@nihrc.org [CONTACT US] Core values The Commission has identified seven core values to which it strives to adhere in all of its work. These values are accessibility, accountability, equality, fairness, independence, openness and participation. In preparing to meet its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Commission has been particularly mindful of the value of openness and has committed itself to making the proceedings of the Commission as transparent as possible, while realising that it must keep certain information confidential if it is conveyed to the Commission under that condition. A Policy on Openness has already been adopted and made publicly available. 2. Background to the Freedom of Information Act The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was passed by Parliament on 30 November 2000. The Act, which comes into full effect from 1 January 2005, is designed to promote openness by all public bodies, including the health service, schools, government departments and agencies. The Act gives individuals a right to access a broader range of information held by public bodies than was previously the case. The Act is retrospective in effect, so that information held by the Commission since its inception in 1999, will be accessible. Under section 19 of the Act each public body must produce a guide to the information it holds. This guide is formally called a Publication Scheme. The purpose of the Publication Scheme is to help individuals in formulating a request to access information held by the public body in question. 3. Introduction to this Publication Scheme The Commission's Publication Scheme has been produced to help individuals find out about the types information held by the Commission and to assist individuals in requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act. The Scheme describes the types of information available through a series of "classes" (or subject headings) and explains what the information is and how it can be obtained. The Publication Scheme is not meant to be a complete list of all of the Commission's publications or other documents, as these are always changing. A full list of publications available at any particular time can be requested from the Commission (see contact details below). Obtaining information through this Scheme The Commission normally provides its information free of charge. A publication and postage charge may apply where the information is published jointly with another organisation. A postage or photocopying charge may also be made if multiple copies of publications are required. All of the information described in this Publication Scheme can be obtained on request from the office. Information is available in hard copy, on disc and through the Commission's website (details on page 1). Normal copyright arrangements apply. Requests can be made in a variety of ways - by letter, fax, email, letter, in person or in a way that best suits you. We will aim to respond to all requests as quickly as possible. In keeping with the Commission's commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, information can be made available on request in alternative formats including Braille, audio-cassette, large print and in minority languages to meet the needs of those people who are not fluent in English. The Commission will, where practicable, make every effort to accommodate specific needs. If you have any queries in this regard they should be addressed in the first instance to Ms Nadia Downing (the Commission's Information Worker). 4. Feedback and Contact The Commission welcomes feedback about its Publication Scheme and such comments will be taken into account when the Scheme is revised each year. The Commission's Publication Scheme Co-ordinator is Ms Nadia Downing, who can be contacted at the address on page 1 of this document. 5. Complaints Complaints about the Publication Scheme should be sent to the Publication Scheme Co-ordinator in the first instance. The Commission's Chief Executive, who has overall responsibility for the Scheme, can then, if necessary, instigate a further procedure. If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, individuals can make a complaint in writing, directly to the Information Commissioner at: The Information Commissioner Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF Telephone: 016 2554 5700 Fax: 016 2554 5510 6. The Classes of Information Class A: The Commission in General - Background, Plans, Outcomes Definition: This class includes information regarding the background to, and the agreed plans and outcomes of, the role and activities of the Commission. Descriptions of Information: leaflets, Strategic Plans from 2000 (consultation drafts and agreed versions), approved annual Business Plans, Annual Reports from 1999, annual accounts and financial statements, review and evaluation reports, organisational chart. Format: On-line, printed and in hard copy Location: Website; in reference library; by request from the office. Class B: The Members of the Commission Definition: This class includes the names of the current members of the Commission, biographical information about them and a Register of Interests. Descriptions of Information: Lists, completed forms, photographs. Format: On-line, printed and in hard copy Location: Website; Annual Reports; Strategic Plan; by request from the office. The Register of Interests can be viewed by request, only in the office. Class C: Meetings of the Commission, Committees and Working Groups Definition: The Commission's approved minutes since 1999. Descriptions of Information: Meeting agendas and approved minutes. Format: On-line, printed and in hard copy Location: Website or by request from the office. Definition: The Commission's Standing Orders, which govern the management of Commission and Committee meetings and the responsibilities of Commissioners as decision-makers Descriptions of Information: Document. Format: On-line, printed and in hard copy. Location: Website and by request from the office. Definition: The terms of reference and current membership of the Commission's Committees and working groups, together with the names of the staff who support them. Descriptions of Information: List. Format: On-line, printed and in hard copy. Location: Website and by request from the office. Class D: Policies adopted by the Commission Definition: Policies which have been agreed and adopted by the Commission and which support its general operations and decision-making. It does not include policies relating to staff terms and conditions of employment, which are dealt with separately in Class F of this Scheme. Format: Hard copy Location: By request from the office. Class E: Equality Scheme Definition: The Equality Scheme sets out how the Commission proposes to fulfil its obligations under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 Descriptions: Documentation on the screening of policies, equality impact assessments, consultation events and monitoring information. Format: On-line and in hard copy. Location: Website and by request from the office. Class F: Staffing, Recruitment and Employment Definition: Job descriptions, selection criteria and information on vacancies after they have been advertised in the press. It also includes policies agreed between the Commission and its recognised trade union regarding staff terms and conditions and employment responsibilities, which are contained in the Staff Manual and the Commission's agreed financial procedures. It does not include the personal details of staff members or information regarding applicants. Descriptions of information: Documentation on job descriptions, selection criteria, policies, vacancies, Staff Manual, Financial Procedures Manual. Format: Hard copy, e-mail. Location: By request from the office. Class G: Comments on Legislation and Policy Definition: Advice on the human rights implications of draft policies, consultations and proposed legislation. Such advice is submitted to the UK government, to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Executive and its departments, and to human rights bodies within the Council of Europe and the United Nations. This class does not include submissions resulting from advice sought in confidence. Descriptions of information: Submission and response documents; selection criteria. Format: Hard copy, e-mail. Location: Website and from the office by request or in reference library. Lists of submissions by financial year are contained in Annual Reports. A list of submissions made to date is available from the office by request. Class H: Education and Development Work Definition: Publications, briefings and training or facilitation materials aimed at promoting the concept of human rights and a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Descriptions of information: Printed publications; leaflets; pamphlets; videos; training pack and manual; submissions made during public consultations. Format: On-line and in hard copy; artistic formats. Location: Website, in reference library and by request from the office. Class I: Investigations and Research Definition: Reports arising from investigations and research, criteria for selecting investigations and research projects and the guidelines for conducting investigations. It does not include raw data or information which identifies individuals or that which could prejudice the conduct or outcome of an investigation. Descriptions of information: Printed and photocopied reports. Format: On-line and in hard copy. Location: Website or by request from the office. Class J: Casework Definition: Criteria for the selection of cases to be assisted, application guidance, proforma letters to solicitors regarding offers of assistance, legal advice sought by the Commission for interventions in court proceedings and monitoring statistics. This class does not include information which would identify individuals or which might prejudice the outcome of a case. Descriptions of information: Documents. Format: On-line and in hard copy. Location: Website; reference library; by request from the office; through Annual Reports. Class K: Press, Publications and Promotion Definition: Press statements, reports of conferences and events, formal speeches and presentations made for the Commission by the Chief Commissioner, other Commissioners or the Chief Executive, public survey results (subject to acknowledgement of the source) and publications produced. It may include photographs subject to authorisation by the person(s) photographed and with appropriate acknowledgement of the photographer. Descriptions of information: Press statements, press clippings, speeches and presentations, printed and photocopied publications, photographs, briefings, event details and survey data. Format: Documents; press clippings. Location: Website; reference library; by request from the office. Notes: An up-to-date list of publications is available from the Commission's Information Worker. Answers to Parliamentary questions can be accessed in Hansard through the Stationery Office's website: www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk. Class L: Reference Library Definition: This class includes system information regarding the operation of the Commission's library. Descriptions of information: Classification Scheme and Subject Index. Format: Hard copy. Location: In reference library or by request from the office. Class M: Relationships with other bodies Definition: This class includes documented and agreed methods of working between the Commission and other, relevant statutory bodies in Northern Ireland, with the Government at Westminster and with the Northern Ireland government departments, and with the Irish Human Rights Commission. Descriptions of information: Memoranda of Understanding; Protocols; Standing Orders; Financial Memoranda. Format: Hard copy. Location: Website and by request from the office If you cannot find the information which you are looking for, you can ask us for it. All requests for information must be made in writing. It would help us if you provide as much detail as possible about your request together with a contact telephone number or email address in case we need to clarify your request. You can send your request to the Commission here. Or by post to: Freedom of Information Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Temple Court, 39 North Street Belfast BT1 1NA Or by fax to: +44 (0)28 9024 7844  [back to Web Policies]