§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the method of selection and the criteria used in the appointment of members to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; which members represent the Ulster Scots Community; whether any of the commission members have links to the Committee for the Administration of Justice; and, if so, what is the nature of those links. [HL4239]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonMembers of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission were appointed following an open and well publicised appointment process. Applications were shortlisted against the published criteria and selection was made following interviews. The criteria against which candidates were assessed were:
- teamwork;
- planning and organisation of work;
- managing and supporting the development of policy;
- managing financial and physical resources;
- drive and motivation;
- effective communication; and
- organisational awareness and skills (including having a firm grasp of human rights related issues).
In addition, candidates for the post of Chief Commissioner were required to demonstrate competence in:
- leadership;
- developing and maintaining networks; and
- judgment and decision taking.
None of the Commissioners was appointed to represent any particular community or section of the community within Northern Ireland. According to the Commission's register of members' interests, which is publicly available, six of the current commissioners are members of the Committee for the Administration of Justice.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What criteria and procedures were used by the Human Rights Commission in the selection of the members of the range of committees involved in consulting on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; what are the committees' compositions; and what section of society does each member represent. [HL4240]
39WA
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe appointment of committees to assist -in consultation on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what investigations the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has been involved; and who initiated such involvement. [HL4241]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonSection 69(8) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 provides the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission with the power to conduct,
such investigations as it considers necessary or expedient",for the purpose of exercising its functions. The commission's programme of investigations is a matter for the commission itself. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What practical assistance the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has given to the victims of paramilitary violence. [HL4242]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the remit of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as defined in the Belfast Agreement of 1998 is to consult and to advise on the scope for defining in legislation human rights and not to draft a Bill. [HL4243]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe Belfast Agreement stated that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission would be
invited to consult and to advise on the scope for defining in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experiences".Those are the terms on which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland commissioned advice from the commission under Section 69(7) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.