The people of Northern Ireland were today asked for their views on any future bill of rights for the country.
The consultation on government proposals to enshrine a range of individual rights and freedoms in law aims to gauge public opinion on the issue.
A new legal framework could potentially see the right to housing, work and social security placed on to the statute.
Politically, the debate on the bill of rights has been split down familiar lines, with unionist politicians wanting to limit its scope and nationalists seeking broader legislation.
Critics claim the bill may have undue influence over public policy, taking power away from elected politicians and handing too much influence to the courts. But supporters of the measure have said the same fears were raised over the introduction of the Human Rights Act in the UK in 1998, but failed to materialise.
Northern Ireland secretary of state Shaun Woodward said the government supported a strong human rights framework which benefited everyone.
“This consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a further milestone on the road from the St Andrews Agreement (2006) and, before that, the Belfast Agreement,” said Mr Woodward. “It demonstrates our continuing commitment to a strong and effective human rights framework that will benefit everyone in Northern Ireland.
“A positive future for the people of Northern Ireland must be firmly based on partnership, equality and mutual respect," he said. “Over the past 12 years, but particularly since the restoration of devolution in May 2007, Northern Ireland has made huge progress in building that positive future.
“The fundamental principle of mutual respect for the rights and freedoms of all the people of Northern Ireland has been at the heart of this progress, and still has a crucial role to play in its future success. That is why I urge everyone with the best interests of Northern Ireland at heart to study this consultation paper carefully and to give their views.”
The Secretary of State also thanked the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for their contribution to formulating the bill.
The consultation will close on March 1st, 2010. A copy of the consultation document can be found on the government’s website at www.nio.gov.uk
PA