Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

The Commission is a National Human Rights Institution with A status accreditation from the UN and non-departmental public body. We receive grant-in-aid from the UK government through the NI Office and report to Parliament through the Secretary of State for NI. 

There are seven Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of State. As far as practicable, Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in NI.

Our role is to protect and promote the human rights of everyone in NI. We help people understand what their human rights are and what they can do if their rights are violated or abused.

The Commission functions include: 

1. providing advice on legislation introduced in the NI Assembly and on policy proposals made by Ministers. We also provide advice to the UK government and Parliament.
2. conducting investigations. To do so, we may enter places of detention, and can compel individuals and agencies to give oral testimony or to produce documents.
3. promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights. To do so, we may undertake or support research and educational activities.
4. providing legal advice and initiating strategic legal cases.

monitoring the implementation of international human rights treaties.

www.nihrc.org

Alyson Kilpatrick Chair

David Russell Chief Executive