The DUP has just published a vision document outlining a series of amendments to the current Bill of Rights. Despite the nature of Nigel Dodds’ introductory remarks, the document itself is not simply a rehearsal of Unionist sectional interest in the Bill.
Much of the criticism focuses on its functionality, implications for the current democratic institutions and its ability to attract significant cross community support.
It also suggests that the bill unnecessarily exceeds its orginal remit, arguing that the European Charter for Human Rights (ECHR) and the Westminster Human Rights Act (1998) (HRA) already covers much of this territory.
One of it most serious and far reaching arguments is that the current proposal’s interventionist character has the potential to remove significant legislative competences away from democratic Assembly towards a human rights courts system outside the current legal system. This, it argues, blurs the areas concerning protection of the citizen, and matters of political choice.
It suggests too that the bill ignores significant areas of conflict. In particular, it highlights areas of particular concern to Unionists that are omitted from the bill; the most obvious being the issue of parades and rights of assembly.
Interestingly, in chapter 6 it suggests that that the only additional clause that might be added to both the ECHR and the HRA might be a the protection of the rights of the unborn child.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
