October 2008 In June 2008 CAJ hosted a seminar entitled "Community, Identity, and the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights" The seminar, chaired by Jim Fitzpatrick of the BBC, focused on the implications for existing equality legislation and voting arrangements within the Assembly arising from recent proposals published in the report of the Bill of Rights Forum. The format of the event was Chatham House Rules, with presentations from Professor Chris Mc Crudden (Lincoln College, Oxford) and Professor Tom Hadden (QUB) setting the context for the ensuing discussion (see attached). Among those who attended were representatives from all the main political parties, and the equality and human rights commissions. Click here to read Tom Hadden's Final Paper. Click here to read Chris McCrudden's Paper. The CAJ has submitted its comments on the Interim Report of the Strategic Review of Parading. While broadly welcoming the direction of the report’s conclusions, a number of caveats were put forward in order to assist the Review Group as it finalizes its recommendations. While there is a welcome focus on attempting to resolve disputes by way of mediation, there is concern at the way in which it is proposed both the panel of mediators and adjudicators will be assembled. It is proposed that this will be by way of the public appointments process. Yet the selection process for public appointments has not shown itself capable of producing a panel of individuals that reflects a cross section of society here. Another issue we have raised with the Strategic Review group is the question of co-ordinating the various elements of the process: registration; noting dissent; mediation; adjudication; stewarding; observing; policing and prosecution. This is an intimidating list that has to be processed by a variety of institutions over a pressing time-frame. Ensuring that everything happens on time and with appropriate consultation will be a challenging undertaking. The full version of CAJ’s submission can be accessed here…. In June 2008 CAJ launched its response to the Bill of Rights Forum Report. This 16 page document, aptly titled "The Best Bill of Rights - A Guide", sets out general principles for the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as well as looking at the issues around the process of the Forum itself and the substance of the Forum Report. Also included in the response is an explanation of CAJ's position on a number of issues relevant to the current debate surrounding the Bill of Rights, such as the inclusion of limitations on the grounds of 'national security', 'unfair discrimination' and the importance of social and economic rights. To see a copy of "The Best Bill of Rights - A Guide" please click here Click here to read the press release Click here to view the Forum's report. CAJ recently responded to the consultation by the Assembly Committee on Standards and Privileges in relation to the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members. Please click here to read this response. CAJ has welcomed the commencement of an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of the draft Masterplan for Crumlin Road Gaol/Girdwood Park. For some time CAJ has argued that the best way of ensuring that the redevelopment takes place in a way which will provide maximum benefit to those in most need is through the EQIA framework and we look forward to engaging positively with the team from the DSD who will carry out the EQIA. So far CAJ has had a meeting with the team from the North Belfast Community Action Unit who are carrying out the work on the EQIA, and spoken at a seminar in North Belfast for community workers outlining the potential benefits that can be delivered by following the EQIA process. CAJ would encourage as many organisations and individuals as possible to register their interest in this consultation, which provides a significant opportunity to further equality in Northern Ireland. See registration letter attached from DSD, along with CAJ's previous correspondence on this issue. Find registration letter here See submissions and the letter to the Minister attached: The Girdwood Response here Cover Letter Girdwood here Letter to Minister 2008 here The UK government last year submitted its fifth periodic report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and in May of this year the Committee met in a pre-sessional working group to decide on the questions it would like to explore further with the government when the formal examination takes place next year. The output of this pre-sessional working group is a list of issues on the report. The report will be considered in public, plenary meetings in May 2009. This will culminate in the adoption of a final text containing conclusions and recommendations. At that time there will be another opportunity for NGO’s to submit information and update their submissions. The list of issues can be downloaded by visiting http://www2.ohchr.org/english/ - go to UK and Northern Ireland and click on ‘E’ under ‘List of Issues’. In brief, the list of issues is concerned for the state party to increase awareness of the covenant; to request much more detailed information in the area of non-discrimination and equality; illustrates great concern over the right to work, national minimum wage and the right to strike to be incorporated into domestic legislation; furthering the protection of family, mothers and children – particularly in the area’s of gender violence and trafficking; it includes a sizeable section on the right to an adequate standard of living, requesting more detailed information on poverty, social exclusion, homelessness and with particular reference to Travellers; also requested is information in the area’s of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to education and cultural rights. In preparation of the pre-sessional working group, CAJ held a meeting of groups working on a range of socio-economic issues to discuss the process of making a submission. CAJ also made its own submission to the Working Group. To read CAJ’s submission, click here Anyone interested in receiving further information about this process should contact the CAJ office on 02890 961122 / info@caj.org.uk   CAJ recently produced a major report entitled "War on Terror: lessons from Northern Ireland." Copies of the report and executive summary can be got by contacting the office. See summary of report here For free copies of the printed summary or copies of the full report see order form attached here The UK government was recently examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee has published its Concluding Observations in which it makes a number of strong recommendations including in relation to adequate funding and resources for women’s organizations. Click here to read the Concluding Observations. Please click here for CAJ's recent submission to CEDAW. (February 2008) Have you seen the quilt "Women's Rights are Human Rights"? This colourful 11ft x 9 ft quilt which was coordinated by CAJ, along with various women's groups throughout North and South of Ireland in preparation for the 1995 Beijing conference is available for display. We are delighted that since the 1995 conference it has been widely used for display at many events to encourage debate about women's rights, and contribute to ongoing debates about improving the situation of women's rights - locally and globally. For info on the quilt and an explanation of the different panels click here For bookings of the quilt contact Liz - liz@caj.org.uk     CAJ has published a summary of our equality report- "Rhetoric and the Reality" and is circulating it widely. Please see the summary attached here CAJ has produced an updated version of its Information Pack on a Bill of Rights. The pack - which is free - is designed for use by local groups and others who are interested in learning more about human rights generally and a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Pack is simple and easy to use and contains some background information and a number of exercises that groups can carry out to help them think about what a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland could contain. To obtain your free copy, contact the CAJ office on 02890 961122, mail to info@caj.org.uk or click here for the order form. Click here to see a CAJ Bill of Rights Programme, showing how the Information Pack is used and discussing what a Bill of Rights for NI means, courtesy of NVTV. At the launch of the pack a massive Bill of Rights Board was produced from what the two groups involved in the training - Star Neighbourhood Centre, New Lodge and Old Warren Partnership, Lisburn - want to prioritise in a Bill of Rights. These boards are available for display purposes at Bill of Rights events. Please contact fiona@caj.org.uk to arrange.   Since January 2006 CAJ has been sending out its monthly published "E-Newsletter". It contains a number of Just News-articles and the latest from our Webnews. If you would like to subscribe, please input your email below and click on "subscribe". E-Mail-adress:

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