Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

@nihrc

Protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. nihrc.org

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Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· 18d

🟣 Attended the Multi-Ethnic Sports & Cultures NI (MSCNI) Launch Event for their Change Cup 2026 & Africa Cultural Festival 2026 at Windsor Park stadium in Belfast 🟣 Thank you to Sarah from Ulster University, who joined the Engagement and Communications team for a placement.

Two people standing in front of a Multi-Ethnic Sports and Cultures NI display, holding signs reading “Inclusion” and “Belonging” alongside a PEACEPLUS sign.

Four people standing in front of a wall that reads: We are the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· 18d

Over the past week, we've engaged with a wide range of stakeholders and communities, discussing human rights and sharing insights into our work. 🟣 Held a workshop with Mencap Heroes+ Programme at the Helping hands Autism Centre 🟣 Led a workshop with students from The University of Georgia

Group of young people and two adults standing together in a brightly coloured community centre room with green and purple walls.

Group photo of participants and facilitators standing behind meeting tables in a conference room during a workshop.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· 20d

NIHRC has an e-newsletter which rounds up all the news and activity at the Commission every month. If you would like to receive the monthly e-newsletter, you can subscribe at the link below 👇 nihrc.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· 22d

Do you know what the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission does? Our information leaflet explains who we are, what we do, and how we work to protect and promote human rights in Northern Ireland.

Graphic showing a screen grab of one of our information leaflets. The leaflet shows people smiling with text over it saying Who we are, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a National Human Rights Institution that was established as a result of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. To the right of the leaflet screen grab, purple text on the graphic says translated information leaflets available in; Irish, Arabic, Ulster Scots, Polish, Lithuanian, Romanian, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Easy Read (English).

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· 26d

The NI Sport & Human Rights Forum recently met to explore mega sporting events and their impact on human rights, in the context of two major sporting events taking place in the summer of 2026.

An image of attendees of our most recent sport and human rights forum standing in front of a wall that says we are the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Five attendees are standing together smiling at the camera.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jul 10

The NIHRC office will be closed on Monday 13th July and Tuesday 14th July for the bank holiday, reopening on Wednesday 15th July.

Purple graphic with white text that reads ‘Bank Holiday Office Closure’

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jul 9

The Northern Ireland Human Right’s Commission has published its Annual Report and Financial Accounts for 2025 – 2026. It outlines how the Commission has performed its functions during the year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. You can read it here: nihrc.org/about-us/wha...

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jul 3

The Northern Ireland Human Right’s Commission has published its Business Plan for 2026 – 2027 which reflects our priorities for the year in line with our Strategic objectives. You can read it here: nihrc.org/publication/...

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jul 1

The ECRML helps protect and promote States Parties’ traditional regional or minority languages and commits States Parties to support their use in education, media, public services, culture, and everyday life.

Number 2 The Committee of Experts may wish to recommend that the Northern Ireland Executive ensure that the Irish Language Commissioner, and the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition’s offices have sufficient resources to fulfil their legal mandates, including the effective operation of their complaint mechanisms.

Number 3 The Committee of Experts may wish to request assurance from the Northern Ireland Executive that sufficient resources are allocated to address challenges in the Irish-medium teaching sector, and that appropriate measures and resources are in place to fulfil the Department of Education’s statutory duty to promote and support the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.

Number 4 The Committee of Experts may wish to seek clarification from the Northern Ireland Executive on the measures it is taking to address the politicisation of minority language promotion, foster mutual understanding, and develop effective data collection mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of the minority language legal framework.

Graphic showing a QR Code linking to the full paper. Text says read the full submission at nihrc.org/publications

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jul 1

Today marks the 25-year anniversary since the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) came into force in the UK.

Our submission to the Council of Europe Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Mid-cycle report for the sixth periodic examination of the United Kingdom

Do you know about the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML)?

The ECRML aims to protect and promote Europe’s traditional regional or minority languages.

It commits States Parties to actively support their use in education, public services, media, culture, and everyday life.

The Commission has submitted a parallel report to the Committee of Experts of the ECRML for its mid-cycle review of the UK.

This report focuses on the Irish and Ulster Scots languages.

Please swipe to read some of our recommendations.

Number 1 The Committee of Experts may wish to recommend that the Northern Ireland Executive take urgent action to develop, implement, and monitor well‑resourced Irish Language and Ulster‑Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategies, in consultation with the Irish Language Commissioner and the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition, language speakers, and their representative organisations.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 30

Our Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick and NIHRC staff will be providing evidence for the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee inquiry on the topic of Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework. This session will take place on Wednesday 1 July at 10:45 am.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 26

🟣Attended the Belfast Business Promise event ran by the Belfast City Council 🟣Attended the Northern Ireland Youth Forum’s Democratic Education Forum @niyf.bsky.social

Image shows a presentation at the Belfast Business Promise event ran by the Belfast City Council. Presentation shows a number of logos under the title 'New Signatories'. One of the logos is the NIHRC.

Northern Ireland Youth Forum staff presenting at their Democratic Education Forum event.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 26

🟣Attended an information session led by Victim Support NI 🟣Attended an event by the @humefoundation.bsky.social on the Role of Sport in Reconciliation 🟣Took part in Hunterhouse College careers day

NIHRC staff in a boardroom receiving a presentation from Victim Support NI.

Panellists at the John and Pat Hume Foundation event on the role of sport in reconciliation.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 26

🟣Led 11 Human Rights Workshops at Regent House Grammar, engaging with approximately 400 students 🟣Presented Berlin Swifts Swiftettes with our Declaration on Sports and Human Rights 🟣Hosted a stall at the Sanctuary Fair as part of World Refugee Week 🟣Presented at the Sport and EU conference

Students at Regent House Grammar pictured in a classroom with NIHRC staff.

Representatives of Berlin Swifts and Swiftettes receiving a copy of NIHRC Declaration on Sports and Human Rights.

NIHRC hosting a stall at the Sanctuary Fair.

NIHRC staff member presenting at the EU and Sport conference on Sports and Human Rights.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 26

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣Hosted a stall at the Great Belfast Picnic to mark World Refugee Day 🟣Led Human Rights workshops with pupils at Lumen Christi College

NIHRC Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick attending the Great Belfast Picnic to mark World Refugee Day.

Students at Lumen Christi College pictured with NIHRC staff.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 25

NIHRC staff were delighted to lead workshops at Regent House Grammar School recently. We led 11 workshops, engaging with approximately 400 students. Students learned about the role and core functions of the NIHRC in promoting and protecting the rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 22

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick gave the keynote speech at the Great Belfast Picnic on Saturday 20th June, marking World Refugee Day and the conclusion of Refugee Week. Thank you Belfast City of Sanctuary for the invitation. Read the Chief Commissioner’s speech here: nihrc.org/news/detail/...

Picture of blue gazebo with five people in it on a stage, one holding a microphone with another speaking into it, others watching.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 19

Ahead of World Refugee Day (20 June 2026), Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick emphasises the universality of human rights – they are for everyone, regardless of their race, nationality or immigration status. Read the full statement here: nihrc.org/.../celebrat.... #WorldRefugeeDay See less

quote from Chief Commissioner's statement, picture of Chief Commissioner speaking into microphone

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 18

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 11

Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, will give evidence to the Committee for Justice today, alongside policy colleagues. The session will focus on the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill. Watch live from 2pm at this link: niassembly.tv/live-stream-2/ @niassembly.gov.uk

Photo of Stormont Parliament Buildings in the sun

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 9

Today, the Commission hosted a Strategic Litigation Forum meeting. Our forum meets twice yearly and brings together lawyers in organisations working on human rights strategic litigation. Thanks to everyone for attending and contributing to discussions.

Group of people sit around a long boardroom table, smiling at the camera

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· Jun 4

NIHRC has submitted a response to the Executive Office's consultation on the Framework for Race Relations. Read our response in full here: nihrc.org/publication/...

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 22

The NIHRC office will be closed on Monday 25th May for the bank holiday, reopening on Tuesday 26th May.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 19

The NIHRC has responded to the Department of Education’s revised draft guidance on the use of restrictive interventions in educational settings. The Commission has made a number of recommendations based on the European Convention on Human Rights. Read our full advice: nihrc.org/publication/...

Graphic with purple background and coloured energy lines that reads: Submission to the Department of Education: Guidance for Educational Settings on Restrictive Interventions.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 15

One of NIHRC’s statutory remits is to promote human rights in Northern Ireland. Over the past few weeks, Commission staff engaged with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including... (1/3)

People sit at a board table looking towards a large screen in the background, with a man standing to the left of the screen

Three people stand smiling at the camera

Group of school pupils and two Commission staff stand on a lawn, with a grey castle style building behind them

Two people sit on sofas with a table between them, looking towards the camera

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 7

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Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 7

(1/2)The Commission has published a briefing paper on human rights and budgeting, exploring the connection between government budgets and their responsibilities to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. 👇Check out our key recommendations below 📄Read the briefing paper: nihrc.org/publication/...

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 5

This Sunday, two NIHRC teams took on the Belfast Marathon Team Relay, fundraising for the @thestrokeassoc.bsky.social. Congratulations to Team Fantastic and Team Grand Job on an incredible achievement. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported us!

Four photos. From left to right: photo presents seven people standing next to each other and looking at the camera. They have medals on them and their t-shirts read: Stroke Association. Second photo: a man and a woman smiling at the camera holding up their medals. Third photo: two women smiling at the camera. Fourth photo: two women smiling at the camera, they both have medals on them.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 1

(2/5) 🟣 Engaged with Washington Ireland Program Academy students and their presentation on art and human rights

large screen with text 'Why Art Matters for Human Rights'

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission@nihrc· May 1

(1/5) This week, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Delivered policy training to the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RAISE)