Getting My Rights Wrong
Much of the publicity associated with today's publication of the Bill of Rights Forum's final report has concerned the boycott by some Forum members, such as the Catholic representative Fr. Tim Bartlett and the DUP elected representatives. I have to confess that I did my own little bit to disrupt the launch of the Forum report, by telling my colleagues it was happening at Hillsborough rather than the Belfast Hilton. Fortunately Martina Purdy discovered the truth in time to divert.
Having failed to black out the Bill of Rights launch, I think it's only fair that I should point those of you who saw the draft document on this blog over the weekend to the final report, which you can find on this website.
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I notice that there is some opposition to a Bill of Rights. Since human rights are by defintion universal in that everybody has the same rights and everybody has equal protection why are some people afraid of the Bill of Rights? I understand some people's difficulty with certain aspects but to reject it outright is non-sensical. I read in the Belfast Newsletter today that it is viewed as a concession towards Nationalists and geared towards uniting Ireland. The Belfast Agreement prevents unification without majority consent. Having human rights recognised in a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland will not change that. Everybody will benefit.
I think this bill of rights is a load of rubbish and taxpayers money. Does it help the working class? Does it help educated people? Does it help to eradicate anti social behaviour? Does it promote manners, respect, dignity and tolerance? No it certainly does not. How is it fair that the working class are out earning money and paying for the benefit cheats to bring our towns and cities from once honest clean towns descend in to shanty towns?
In response to Martin: a Bill of Rights would help the working class in that it would help prevent discrimination in the workplace, in housing and in education on the basis of class. Educated people were mentioned. It will aim to promote equality for everyone, educated to whatever extent. It can help people who are victims of anti-social behaviour. Manners, respect, dignity and tolerance are exactly what a Bill of Rights is about. It will do this with it's articles specific to Northern Ireland not to mention the extensive other rights taken from the European Convention. It will ease the caseload of the Human Rights cases in the House of Lords and Europe by allowing people from Northern Ireland to bring cases here, in Northern Ireland. People who feel they have had their human rights abused in Northern Ireland will get their cases heard quicker and with greater efficacy because the law will be based here with additions specific to here.
Simon - I accept what you say but how will society regain Manners, Respect, Dignity and Tolerance? The only way is for people of all ages to be re taught this. How and by whom I don't know but it is urgently needed.
Martin,
I think that last post was one of the finest utterances on modern standards I have ever seen. Bravo!