West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Clarke says no one should fear Bill Of Rights

Published: 4 March, 2010

Sinn Fein's Sean Clarke has said no one has anything to fear from a Bill Of Rights as a motion on the issue came before the monthly meeting of Omagh District Council on Tuesday evening. The motion called for 'the introduction of a robust, enforceable Bill of Rights that will provide right-based protection for all the people of the North of Ireland'.

Speaking following the passage of the motion by Omagh District Council Sinn Fein's Sean Clarke said:

"No one has anything to fear from the introduction of a Bill Of Rights for the north of Ireland. We in Sinn Féin wish to ensure that any bill forthcoming is strong and effective with equality at its centre. Surely no one could object to such a document.

"The bill was something which was promised at the time of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Nearly 12 years on we are still awaiting the full implementation of this pledge.

"When the consultation on the bill was finally released late last year it was evident that the NIO had ignored the majority of the Human Rights Commission's recommendations. Indeed the Human Rights Consortium, representing 140 groups, have rejected the NIO Consultation, saying the document effectively undermined the Bill of Rights project and branded the NIO proposals as "pitifully limited", "unacceptable" and "disrespectful.

"We must see the introduction of a robust, enforceable Bill of Rights that will provide right-based protection for all the people of the North, and one which takes into account the views and input from Human Rights organisations who are leaders in this field of work. This is the view which was endorsed by Omagh District council by the passage of this motion.