Promoting Justice /
Protecting Rights

Submissions

CAJ regularly responds to government public consultations.  A full list of our consultations submissions is available below.

Accountable Policing and Justice

Equality

Combating Impunity

Freedom of Expression

Protecting Human Rights and the Peace Settlement

International

24/05/2022

Model Bill Team initial response to legacy and reconciliation bill

Comprised of experts from QUB and CAJ, the Model Bill Team has worked for almost a decade to find human rights compliant solutions to the legal and political challenges regarding dealing with the past in Northern Ireland. The group has analysed the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill – which is currently on its...
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17/04/2022

Submission on the UK’s Fifth State Report under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

CAJ has drafted a detailed submission in response to the Fifth State Report of the UK under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). Our response provides commentary on the UK’s commitments in relation to Northern Ireland. It focuses on a number of different key areas including: Irish language legislation; Ulster Scots...
08/04/2022

Response to UK Covid-19 inquiry consultation

CAJ has responded to the consultation on the draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the UK Covid-19 inquiry. We have prefaced our response by stating it is our strong view that it is also necessary to hold a Northern Ireland specific public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic, which is independent and human rights...
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05/04/2022

Response to DoJ Consultation on Hate Crime Legislation in Northern Ireland

CAJ has responded to the consultation launched by the Department of Justice (DoJ) on certain recommendations arising from recent Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in NI. DoJ is consulting in two phases; the first (current) stage covers the following issues: aspects of the statutory aggravation hate crime model; the use of a sectarian aggravator...
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02/04/2022

Written Submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UK

Every 4.5 years, the UK undergoes a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to assess its overall progress on human rights. This is a peer review process led by UN Human Rights Council, which all UN member states undergo on a cyclical basis. The UK’s fourth UPR will take place later this year. CAJ has submitted written...
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14/03/2022

Submission to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council consultation on dual language street signage

In 2018, the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council voted for an ‘English only’ street signage policy. CAJ and Conradh na Gaeilge (CnaG) advised the Council that this policy was unlawful, but it was only withdrawn in the face of Judicial Review proceedings. Another draft policy was withdrawn in 2019 after major concerns were again raised....
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10/03/2022

CAJ responds to Human Rights Act consultation

CAJ has responded to the UK government’s consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act. We wish to make it clear that we object to the proposals in this consultation and the proposed Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which in our view would greatly reduce the protections currently in...
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07/03/2022

Submission to the Committee of Ministers in relation to the supervision of the cases concerning the action of the security forces in Northern Ireland (February 2022)

Our latest submission to the Committee of Ministers was drafted for consideration at the 1428th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, which is taking place between 8 to 10 March 2022. In the submission, we outline the UK’s continued failure to comply with its duty to investigate legacy deaths (under Article 2 of the European Convention...
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07/03/2022

Submission to the Five Year Review of the Police Ombudsman

CAJ has responded to the consultation on the five-year review of the powers of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI). This review has taken place periodically since the the office was established two decades ago. We welcome the accessible nature of the Five Year Review document, and largely concur with recommendations...
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03/03/2022

Response to Consultation on the Revised Recommendations of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner

In January 2022, the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner published Revised Recommendations for public consultation on the number, boundaries, and names of the 11 local government districts, as well as the wards into which each district is sub-divided. This submission is a joint response to the revised recommendations from CAJ and Conradh na Gaeilge (CnaG). In...
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28/02/2022

Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

On 24 February 2022, our Deputy Director, Daniel Holder, and Immigration Solicitor, Úna Boyd, presented to the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We highlighted the continuing pattern of political obstruction in Northern Ireland in terms of how this is delaying implementation of outstanding rights commitments from the peace settlement and,...
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25/02/2022

Submission on Belfast City Council’s proposed policy on dual language street signs

CAJ has responded to the consultation held by Belfast City Council on the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of its proposed policy on dual language street signs. While we welcome some elements of the new policy – including the aim of the policy being expressly tied to promoting minority language rights and linguistic diversity – we...
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28/01/2022

Briefing note: Nationality and Borders Bill – Electronic Travel Authorisation

Clause 71 of the Nationality and Borders bill (as introduced to the House of Lords) amends the Immigration Act 1971 to introduce Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This provides for a pre-entry clearance system, which requires anyone who does not need a visa, entry clearance or other specified immigration status, to obtain authorisation before travelling to...
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02/12/2021

Submission to the Committee of Ministers in relation to the supervision of the cases concerning the action of the security forces in Northern Ireland (October 2021)

Our latest submission to the Committee of Ministers was drafted for consideration at the 1419th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies, which is taking place between 30 November and 2 December 2021. In the submission, we highlight the lack of support locally and internationally for the UK government’s recent Command Paper on legacy, which includes proposals...
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17/09/2021

Submission to UN Human Rights Council on UK impunity proposals for the NI conflict

The UN Human Rights Council has been examining concerns related to the Northern Ireland Office’s impunity proposals. In recent months, the UK has unilaterally departed from the provisions of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement (SHA). Instead, the UK now proposes introducing legislation that would include a statute-bar on investigating conflict related incidents, along with an...
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