The Equality Coalition, Transitional Justice Institute, and Human Rights Consortium are running a series of webinars this summer and autumn examining human rights issues that have been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. All webinars in the ‘Covid Conversations’ series will take place via Zoom. Early registration is advised as each event is...

CAJ notes the appointment of six new Commissioners to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), who each took up office on 1 September 2020. CAJ hopes they will demonstrate their firm commitment to upholding international human rights standards under the leadership of the Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, not only as we attempt to emerge...

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),...

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...

CAJ joins with other members of the Equality Coalition to call for political action to prevent the Covid-19 crisis from worsening inequalities in Northern Ireland. The Equality Coalition is a broad alliance of 90 civil society organisations and trade unions in Northern Ireland that collectively campaign to promote equality. The Coalition is jointly convened by...

Northern Ireland faces a real and pressing public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the UK and Irish governments have introduced emergency legislation in response to this crisis. Emergency legislation in times of crisis can be necessary and actively support positive action to protect human rights. The general principle is that emergency measures...