About the Equality and Human Rights Unit
The Equality and Human Rights Unit sits within Equality Rights and Social Need Division and has the task of assisting departments to deal with issues arising from the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 in October 2000 and for Human Rights obligations arising from devolution.
This involves:
- ensuring that all areas of legislation, policy and administration practice in departments comply with the European Convention on Human Rights;
- promotion of a culture of rights and responsibilities within the Civil Service and other public authorities and promotes awareness of other Human Rights considerations under international instruments to which the UK is a signatory; and
- the development of relationships with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
which is appointed by the Secretary of State.
Our role is central to the promotion of Human Rights across the Northern Ireland Civil Service. We are eager to lead on and co-ordinate education and awareness of staff and to promote a culture of rights and responsibilities within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Our objectives:
- to ensure that all areas of legislation, policy and administrative practice in Northern Ireland departments are compliant with the Convention rights;
- to provide NI departments with practical advice on emerging human rights jurisprudence;
- to help promote a culture of rights and responsibilities within the NICS and other public authorities for which they are responsible;
- to promote awareness of, and to encourage compliance with, wider human rights considerations, for example under other international instruments to which the UK is a signatory;
- to facilitate the development of good working relationships with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission;
- to circulate examples of good practice in relation to human rights proofing within Northern Ireland departments and the public authorities, for which they are responsible, particularly in relation to: management of the process; working with public authorities; and training
- to identify areas, which could be seen as being human rights sensitive and advise and support departments in these areas; and
- to organise meetings of departmental equality and human rights contacts.
