Press Release

A Celebration Of International Human Rights Day

Wednesday , December 07

At The Great Hall, Guildhall
Derry City Council

10 December 2005

Derry City Council is delighted to be hosting the annual conference of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The event in the Guildhall from 10am – 12.30 on Saturday 10th December will mark world human rights day and interested community and voluntary groups and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

On 10 December, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It declared that the "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world."

It could arguably be called the birth of the modern human rights movement.

The aims of today’s event are to celebrate this anniversary, highlight key human rights issues in Northern Ireland and to promote the inclusion of International Human Rights Day in the calendar of public bodies and local authorities, through the leadership of Derry City Council.
According to Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner of the NIHRC “We hope this event will spotlight a number of important human rights concerns currently facing us in Northern Ireland. Now, more than ever, we need to redouble our efforts to promote and protect human rights. On the 10th of December we hope to join with hundreds of other organisations to advance the foundations of human rights, justice and peace across the world.”
The Mayor, Councillor Lynn Fleming said she was delighted the city was hosting such a prestigious event and encouraged as many local community and voluntary groups, as well as members of the public, to come along.

“This conference promises to be a very interesting and informative event which will highlight key human rights issues in Northern Ireland and will address a series of important topics such as equality, hate crime and children’s rights. I hope that the event will promote the inclusion of International Human Rights day in the calendar of all public bodies and local authorities,” she said.

The programme for the day begins at 10am and will include an introduction from Tom Frawley, Northern Ireland Ombudsman. Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission will give an overview of Human Rights in Northern Ireland. This will be followed by local input on equality, hate crime, social and economic rights and children’s rights.

As this is the first time the annual event has been hosted in the North West it is hoped that there will be a good turnout by interested members of the public on the day. It is not necessary to register for the event – people are encouraged to simply turn up at the Guildhall at 10am on the day.

Programme

10.00 am Registration and refreshments

10:30 am Introduction from the Chair
-Tom Frawley, Northern Ireland Ombudsman

10.40 am Welcome from the Mayor,
- Councillor Lynn Fleming

10.50 am An overview of Human Rights in Northern Ireland
- Professor Monica McWilliams, Chief Commissioner, NIHRC

11.10 am Presentations on the following themes by local experts.

Equality – Maureen Hetherington, The Junction

Children’s Rights - Clionagh Boyle, Derry Children’s Commission

Hate Crime – Sean Morrin, Rainbow Project

Social and Economic Rights – Michael Gallagher, Consultant

12.30 pm Conclusion and finger buffet

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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