Amnesty International UK, CAJ, and UNISON are calling for a public inquiry into the handling of Covid-19 in care and nursing homes in Northern Ireland with particular reference to very high number of deaths of residents. The call comes following the resignation of all nine board members of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA),...
Following the case of Emma DeSouza, from August 2020 immigration rules will change to allow a “relevant person of Northern Ireland” and their family members to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, expanding the scheme to a new group of people who were previously excluded. Through our Immigration Project, we have produced guidance to assist...
Human rights organisations concerned at last-minute law changes and PSNI action against Black Lives Matter protests Amnesty International UK and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have written to every MLA – in advance of a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly today (Tuesday 16 June 2020) – to outline concerns about law...
A 14 day self-isolation period for incoming passengers to the UK and Ireland has been under discussion for some time to prevent imported cases of Covid-19. CAJ has published a previous briefing paper exploring the complex issues related to operating such a system within the Common Travel Area (the open border zone consisting of the...
CAJ joins with Amnesty International UK to condemn the issuing of fines at Black Lives Matter (BLM) rallies in NI The last-minute introduction of fines against peaceful Black Lives Matter protests in Northern Ireland over the weekend is “unacceptable”, Amnesty International UK and CAJ said today. The human rights organisations have raised concerns that enforcement...
Inside this issue: In a series of interrelated articles, this special edition of Just News examines the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on rights and equality in Northern Ireland. Contributors include CAJ Director, Brian Gormally; NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby; Women’s Sector Lobbyist, Rachel Powell; ICCL Executive Director, Liam Herrick; and the Special Rapporteur on...
In May 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the British and Irish governments announced measures requiring incoming travellers to ‘self-isolate’ upon arrival. These measures are part of government plans to ease lockdown and are intended to manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from abroad as international travel restrictions are eased. We have drafted...
The changes to the Immigration Rules today follow the commitments made by the British Government in the New Decade, New Approach agreement of 9 January 2020 and the earlier review promised by Theresa May into Irish citizens in NI being joined by their family members. These changes are driven by the legal challenge by Emma...
Last year, the UK submitted its sixth periodic report on its compliance with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. All states signed up this convention – including the UK – have a duty to prevent and investigate torture, support victims of torture, and ensure perpetrators are punished....
Tacking incitement to hatred, in accordance with international human rights standards, is an area of priority focus for CAJ. Partially in response to lobbying from CAJ, an independent review of Northern Ireland’s hate crime legislation was agreed by former Justice Minister Claire Sugden in 2017, before officially launching in 2019 with Judge Desmond Marrinan at...
