Another landmark on road to Bill of Rights

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 19th Aug 2003

Alliance Party Justice and Human Rights Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the Human Right's Commission publication today of a summary of submissions as another landmark on the path to a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Dr Farry stated:

"This new document is yet another positive step on the path to creating a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

"This paper demonstrates that the Commission has a clear understanding of some the key rights issues facing Northern Ireland.

"At over 300, the number of submissions indicates the high level of interest right across society in the Bill of Rights project.

"The next move must be for the Commission itself to provide a revised set of proposals. These should form the basis of discussions for political parties and civil society.

"Alliance believes there is merit in a group of human rights experts advising on the way forward on the Bill of Rights. However, this must be accompanied by steps to generate broad-based support across the community. This is different from parties trying to cobble something together through a series of sectarian trade-offs.

"This is why it is important the structure and remit of any roundtable process are well prepared."