We work on equality and human rights issues that affect the island of Ireland. We do this together with Northern Ireland’s human rights and equality bodies.
We work with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) in the Joint Committee. This is part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
We work with the NIHRC and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) on the Article 2(1) Working Group of the Dedicated Mechanism. This is part of the Windsor Framework.
What is the Joint Committee
This committee considers human rights issues on the island of Ireland.
It impacts both jurisdictions. It was set up as part of the 1998 Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
All Commission members from IHREC and NIHRC participate in the Joint Committee.
The Joint Committee meets throughout the year. Meetings alternate between Belfast and Dublin.
What has the Joint Committee worked on?
The Agreement mandated the Joint Committee to look into a charter of rights for the island of Ireland and other topics. The Joint Committee published advice on a charter of rights in June 2011.
After the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, the Joint Committee started important Brexit work. This involved research and policy analysis. We engaged extensively with key officials from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, the EU, and the UN. This was to make sure rights and equality issues were fully addressed during the withdrawal process.
Article 2(1) Working Group of the ‘Dedicated Mechanisms’
We work with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to uphold rights after Brexit. This is in line with Article 2(1) of the Windsor Framework.
What is Article 2(1) of the Windsor Framework?
When the UK left the EU in 2020, the UK Government committed to protecting human rights and equality in Northern Ireland (NI). These commitments are contained in Article 2(1) of the Windsor Framework.
The commitments the UK Government made include:
- guaranteeing that some rights in NI can't be weakened or lowered below what the UK agreed to as an EU member.
- continuing to keep up with any changes the EU makes to increase rights under six key equality laws.
Under Article 2(1), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland are mandated to act as the ‘Dedicated Mechanisms’ to monitor these rights.
IHREC works with the Dedicated Mechanisms to oversee and report on rights and equalities issues related to Article 2(1). These issues have an island of Ireland dimension.
How does the group work?
The 3 commissions work together under a memorandum of understanding. This document outlines how we work together to meet our goals. Our joint work is coordinated by an ‘Article 2(1) working group’.
The working group has members from each of the three Commissions.
These are:
- the Chief Commissioner
- Commission members
- the Director/Chief Executive
- the staff lead
Michael Finucane and Colin Harvey are the Commission members who participate for IHREC.
The working group meets quarterly to consider and plan joint work. The provision of secretariat service to the working group rotates annually. IHREC carried out the secretariat role in 2023 and will take it up again in 2026.
The working group coordinates joint activities including stakeholder engagement, research and policy, and awareness surveys. It also produces annual joint activity reports.