„The rule of law is the right that democracy is for politics. Without these fundamental guarantees, we risk losing a lot of ground. My message to those negotiating on the boards in Brussels, London and Dublin is to focus on rights and equality and to give priority to the lives, livelihoods and peace of our people. ” – a clear formulation of rights that should not be discriminated against and equal opportunities, both in the public and private sectors. Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Commission on Human Rights and Equal Opportunity, said: „The peace process was based on a common vision of equal rights and respect on the island of Ireland, as provided for in the Belfast Agreement. The process is likely to enter a new phase, which will lead to referendums on the constitutional future. These are three themes: first, the conduct of the conversation; second, what the agreement tells us; And third, what it means especially for rights. Human rights must be contextual in the conversational debate. Not as distant aspirations for the future, but now: remember once again the implications of „equivalence” and the opportunity to now take advantage of a gradual change that will mark the future of this island. He added: „We will continue to help the British and Irish governments go through this process, because we want the best agreement on human rights for all in Northern Ireland in the future.” It is time to restart the agreement, welcome the constitutional talks triggered by Brexit and focus on human rights. We need a culture of respect for human rights now and in the future, and that must change lives as people rightly expect. Especially for those on this island who need our promises to be important and who can no longer wait for social change. – Ensuring equal citizenship in Northern Ireland.
A joint committee set up as part of the peace agreement to deal with human rights issues on the island insisted that the withdrawal agreement provide for the north-south equivalence of rights after Brexit, as defined in the 1998 agreement. Third, what does this mean in particular for rights? One of the reasons we are in the current mess is that the rights-based approach to the agreement has not been implemented. There is no bill, no bill of rights for the island, the N. Ireland Human Rights Commission is subject to financial burden, equality and social justice have not been met, threats against the Human Rights Act 1998 continue and there is the issue of Brexit. The nature of the future proposed relationship between the UK and the EU is worrisome: a small area of risk deregulated by the state for socio-economic rights, with Brexit itself at the heart of the values underlying the peace process. – the formulation of a general commitment by the Government and public authorities to fully respect, on the basis of equal treatment, the identity and ethics of the two communities in Northern Ireland, and „we are now asking the GOVERNMENT of the United Kingdom and Ireland for assurances that no rights resulting from Brexit will be watered down.” 1. The parties reaffirm their commitment to mutual respect, civil rights and religious freedoms for all within the Community. In light of the recent history of municipal conflicts, the parties reaffirm in particular: 4. The new Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (see below, paragraph 5) is invited to consult and advise on the possibilities of establishing rights in Westminster legislation, which are part of the developments and developments of the European Convention on Human Rights , to take into account the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.
, if necessary, relies on international instruments and experiences.