The head of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has expressed concern that its recommendations for a bill of rights will not be fully incorporated into law. This follows the British government's handling of the policing issue.
Nine commission working groups publicised their findings yesterday on areas such as children's rights, criminal justice rights, education rights, victim rights and rights of culture and identity.
Mr Brice Dickson, the chief commissioner, said he hoped a sizeable portion of the recommendations would be incorporated when the Bill goes before Westminster next year. The dilution of the Patten proposals into the Policing Bill was worrying, he said.
"It doesn't make me feel very confident. That's why we're going to try to engage both with the local politicians and with the Westminster politicians. So when the Bill is finally introduced, there will be enough of a consensus amongst the politicians to make it more or less a fait accompli."
Mr Les Allamby, of the social and economics rights group, said every individual had a right to health, an adequate standard of living, housing and work and a healthy and sustainable environment. "We believe that the function of a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights is to support and facilitate the peace process and to underpin it with a meaningful legal process." he said.
"Social and economic rights are an integral part of this project. They provide a concrete means to address the social and economic consequences of the conflict itself."
Dr Laura Lundy said the education group recommended the Bill should contain a right for every individual to receive an effective education with equal access. Parents should have the right to provide this outside the school system if they choose.
Dr Kieran McEvoy said the criminal justice group recommended a solicitor be present during all questioning of a suspect. A suspect should also go before a court within 24 hours of arrest, rather than the current limit of 96 hours. A person who served a prison sentence had a right to rehabilitation.
Ms Paula Keenan said children's rights should include a right to be heard and protection from abuse, which included bullying in school.
Mr Lee Reynolds said a language ombudsman should be established to enforce the rights of people wishing to communicate using minority languages.