Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

21st March marks International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Find out more about this day here: un.org/en/observances… Read more about the Commission’s work protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland here: nihrc.org

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) have come together to issue a joint statement reaffirming the importance of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 in protecting fundamental rights for every person across the United Kingdom. Read the full statement here: nihrc.org/news/detail/uk… @NIHRC @EHRC @ScotHumanRights

Staff from @NIHRC led two interactive workshops with junior and senior classes at St Conor's College in Kilrea today. Students discussed the importance of human rights for everyone, and learned about the laws that protect them. Thank you to @st_conors and the students for the warm welcome!

The NIHRC office will be closed on Tuesday 17th March for the bank holiday, reopening on Wednesday 18th March.

I call on National Human Rights Institutions and Ombudspersons to be ambassadors for the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights: assist your governments to ensure that the political declaration expected in May will not do harm and, at best, will constitute a timely affirmation of the importance of the Convention and of the work of the Court. It is in our cooperation and complementarity that we can be effective in confronting the vast challenges for human rights, democracy and rule of law. Read my speech at @coe ON Forum👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss… #NHRIs #ECHR #HumanRights

Last week, the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum met to explore the impact of cost of living pressures and poverty on access to sport. Read more about the session here: nihrc.org/news/detail/ni… Thanks to our speakers from @NIHRC policy team, @MariaOKane29 from @UlsterUni, @sported_NI, @berlinswiftsfc and Mentribe. @GoTeamNI

As we approach International Women’s Day, our Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, highlights #IWD2026 must be a call to action to strengthen rights for women and girls, including addressing emerging digital harms, poverty and access to justice and redress. Watch the video for the Chief Commissioner’s full statement. nihrc.org/news/detail/no…

On International Women’s Day, the Commission calls for decisive action to protect women and girls across Northern Ireland. Women and girls in NI continue to face systemic barriers that undermine their safety, dignity, and ability to participate fully in society. The Commission urges the Executive and all public bodies to place human rights — including dignity, equality and justice — at the heart of every decision. Read our full statement here: nihrc.org/news/detail/no… #IWD2026 #InternationalWomensDay

The @NIHRC and @EqualityCommNI have met as part of their role as the Independent Mechanism for Northern Ireland (IMNI). This IMNI Joint Committee meeting discussed: ongoing work in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Northern Ireland; as well as updates on the Department for Communities Disability and Work Strategy, and the NI Executive Office Disability Strategy 2025-2035.

Today NIHRC staff met with students from the Washington Ireland Academy. The Academy is an 8-week leadership development programme for young people aged 18 to 25 involved in community work on a voluntary or professional basis who are dedicated to peace, reconciliation, and cooperation. The Commission is delighted to be a Work Placement Project Partner for the 2026 Academy.

Today NIHRC staff took part in the Hunterhouse College careers fair. We spoke to Year 10 students about our work at the Commission to promote and protect the rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. Thank you to all of the staff and students for your time and best wishes with the rest of your studies!

Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, will give evidence to the Committee for Education today, alongside policy colleagues. The session will focus on the proposed Committee Bill to allow all pupils the choice to wear trousers. Watch live from 2pm at this link: niassembly.tv/live-stream-2/ @NIACfEd @niassembly

Today, the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum explored how poverty and cost of living issues can create barriers to sport. Speakers included the @NIHRC policy team, @MariaOKane29 from @UlsterUni, @sported_NI, @berlinswiftsfc and Mentribe. Thanks to @GoTeamNI for chairing the meeting, and to all attendees and speakers for their insights.

If you missed our Annual Human Rights Lecture 2026, delivered by Sir Tim Eicke KC, former Judge of European Court of Human Rights in respect of the United Kingdom, you can now watch it back here: youtube.com/live/DolngLZRH… #AHRL2026

NIHRC staff were delighted to deliver a workshop at St Malachy's College Belfast yesterday. The GCSE Politics pupils discussed the work of the Commission, why and how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created, and what their fundamental human rights are. Thanks to the students for their engagement in the session!

@TheBarofNI In his address, Sir Tim Eicke highlights the role of misinformation in reporting and in public discourse surrounding the role and reach of the European Court of Human Rights in the UK and throughout Europe, leading to an inaccurate understanding of the ECHR. #AHRL2026

@TheBarofNI Our keynote speaker, Sir Tim Eicke KCMG KC, former Judge of European Court of Human Rights in respect of the United Kingdom, has commenced his address titled: "ECHR in a Changing World: Facts, Myths and the UK Context".

Denise Kiley KC, Vice-Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, welcomes attendees and highlights the significance of human rights law in the Northern Ireland peace process before introducing the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan. #AHRL2026