UN Calls for Bill of Rights to Address Human Rights Deficit in Northern Ireland
March 5, 2025
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has issued a stark warning to the UK Government, urging the adoption of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. In its concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Committee highlighted concerns about poverty, housing, workers’ rights, social security, and significant gaps in human rights protections in Northern Ireland.
A key recommendation from the CESCR report is the long-overdue implementation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Committee “regrets the continued absence” of such a framework, and urges the UK Government to expedite its adoption to ensure that economic, social, and cultural rights are fully enforceable in domestic law. The adoption of a Bill of Rights would reinforce international human rights protections, provide a foundation for the effective protection and advancement of human rights and establish a framework of obligations and safeguards to embed accountability across all levels of local government, ultimately making the Stormont system of governance effective and sustainable.
Kevin Hanratty, Director of the Human Rights Consortium, reinforced the urgency of this recommendation, stating:
“The Committee’s recommendations make it clear that a failure to establish a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland has resulted in a broader human rights deficit, with accountability slipping through the cracks and the rights of the most vulnerable communities left unprotected. To break this dangerous stalemate, we need governance shaped by objective international standards that prioritise the dignity of every individual. A Bill of Rights is the solution.”
The concluding observations are the result of a review of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the United Nations which takes place every four years for its performance under ICESCR which commits signatory states to uphold a range of rights within their jurisdiction, including the right to an adequate standard of living, the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, work, social security, education and cultural life. As a part of this process, civil society can contribute to this treaty monitoring process by submitting shadow reports to the United Nations that will inform them of the local status of these rights and help them in holding the United Kingdom to account.
In advance of the review the Human Rights Consortium submitted an updated shadow report which was developed in collaboration with a range of Consortium member organisations from across Northern Ireland civil society. This report highlighted structural barriers and threats to the enjoyment of rights in Northern Ireland including issues such as resource availability, non-discrimination and intersectionality, and recommendations such as delivering a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights via Westminster legislation and adherence to the Windsor Framework Article 2 commitments, removing the Two-Child-Limit and establishing a Single Equality Act for Northern Ireland.
Our Human Rights Officer Olivia Potter-Hughes attended the formal review of the United Kingdom in Geneva on the 13th and 14th of February with civil society colleagues from across the United Kingdom to brief the committee with commentary on the status of Economic, Social and Cultural rights in Northern Ireland. In our statement, we urged the Committee to “once again recommend that the UK Government fulfils its obligations by legislating for a Bill of Rights, and for the NI Executive to prioritise a comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy, fair pay protections, and urgent reforms in housing, healthcare, and education.” The full statement is available below.
The CESCR concluding observations also raised several other critical issues affecting Northern Ireland, calling on the UK Government to take immediate action to reverse austerity-driven cuts to social services and welfare, strengthen protections for workers, migrants, and ethnic minorities, address the housing and homelessness crisis, fully implement the Irish Language Act and repeal the Legacy Act to ensure truth and justice for victims of the Troubles, and to adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination and equality laws in Northern Ireland.
Child Poverty and Social Security
The Committee has also raised significant concerns regarding child poverty and social security, emphasising the detrimental impact of the two-child benefit cap, which remains in place despite clear evidence linking it to increased child poverty. While a child poverty strategy is being developed across the UK, Northern Ireland requires specific targets and adequate funding to ensure the eradication of child poverty. The Committee also calls for an independent review of welfare reforms introduced since 2010, with particular attention to their disproportionate effects on low-income families and disabled people.
Housing, Homelessness & Cost of Living
The worsening housing crisis in Northern Ireland has also been highlighted, with concerns over rising homelessness, a lack of affordable housing, and inadequate tenant protections. The Committee urges the UK Government to increase the supply of social housing, strengthen renter protections, and take action to curb rising rental costs. Specific attention is needed to improve housing conditions for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, ensuring access to culturally appropriate sites with essential services. Additionally, the Committee calls for urgent action to address paramilitary intimidation against ethnic minorities and migrants, which continues to obstruct access to safe and adequate housing.
Employment and Workers’ Rights
On employment and workers’ rights, the Committee notes that low-paid workers, particularly women, disabled people, and ethnic minorities, remain disadvantaged due to insecure employment, zero-hour contracts, and persistent wage disparities. It calls on the UK Government to ensure that minimum wages reflect the cost of living and to introduce stronger protections against workplace exploitation and discrimination. In Northern Ireland, the full implementation of the Employment Act (2016) is necessary to enforce pay gap reporting and ensure fair treatment of workers.
Social Security and Austerity Measures
The impact of austerity measures on social security has been a major concern, with evidence that these policies have disproportionately harmed disadvantaged groups, exacerbating poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The Committee calls for the reversal of the five-week delay in Universal Credit payments, the benefit cap, and welfare cuts to ensure sufficient social protections. Additionally, disability-related benefits must be reassessed to guarantee they adequately cover the additional costs of living with a disability.
Education and Bullying in Northern Ireland
Education disparities remain a pressing issue, particularly for ethnic minority, migrant, and Traveller children. The Committee highlights the ongoing problem of bullying in schools, including cyberbullying and discrimination based on race, gender identity, and disability. It calls for the proper implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (2021) and improved teacher training to combat discrimination and bias. Furthermore, the impact of the Integrated Education Act (2022) should be reviewed, and support for integrated schools expanded to promote inclusivity in education.
Healthcare and Mental Health
Concerns about healthcare and mental health services in Northern Ireland persist, with long waiting times and staff shortages significantly affecting access to care. The Committee draws attention to disproportionately high suicide rates among marginalised communities, including Roma, Travellers, and people with disabilities, and calls for increased investment in mental health services with a stronger focus on community-based support. Additionally, sexual and reproductive health services must be expanded, particularly in rural areas, to ensure access to contraception and abortion services.
Migration and Social Protection
The Committee has also criticised the UK’s migration policies, particularly the Nationality and Borders Act (2022) and the Illegal Migration Act (2023), which have severely restricted access to social protections for asylum seekers. It urges the UK Government to review these laws to ensure compliance with international human rights standards. Furthermore, the “no recourse to public funds” policy must be reassessed, as it is forcing many migrants into poverty and homelessness.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice
On environmental justice, the Committee warns that the UK is not on track to meet its climate commitments, with serious consequences for vulnerable communities, including those experiencing fuel poverty. It calls for urgent action to prioritise decarbonisation, improve home insulation, and ensure a just transition to renewable energy. Moreover, the impact of climate policies on disadvantaged groups, particularly low-income households and rural communities in Northern Ireland, must be carefully assessed.
Legacy of the Conflict in Northern Ireland
The Committee has called for the adoption of a “comprehensive anti-discrimination and equality law” in Northern Ireland and has strongly condemned the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act (2023), arguing that it undermines efforts towards truth, justice, and reconciliation. It urges the UK Government to repeal the Legacy Act and adopt a human rights-based approach to addressing the past and ensuring truth and justice for victims.
Cultural Rights & Language Protections
Finally, concerns have been raised regarding cultural rights and language protections. The Committee notes that the Irish Language Act (2022) has not been fully implemented and calls on the UK Government to establish the necessary institutions to safeguard and promote both the Irish language and Ulster Scots culture. Additionally, it emphasises the need for increased funding for cultural activities, ensuring equal access to arts, sports, and heritage initiatives across all communities.
These recommendations serve as a crucial benchmark for ensuring that economic, social, and cultural rights are upheld in Northern Ireland. The Human Rights Consortium continues to campaign for the full implementation of these recommendations, urging both the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to take decisive action in advancing human rights protections for all.
