The NIHRC office will be closed on Monday 13th July and Tuesday 14th July for the bank holiday, reopening on Wednesday 15th July.

The Northern Ireland Human Right’s Commission has published its Annual Report and Financial Accounts for 2025 – 2026. It outlines how the Commission has performed its functions during the year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. You can read it here: nihrc.org/about-us/wha...

The Northern Ireland Human Right’s Commission has published its Business Plan for 2026 – 2027 which reflects our priorities for the year in line with our Strategic objectives. You can read it here: nihrc.org/publication/...

Today marks the 25-year anniversary since the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) came into force in the UK.

Our Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick and NIHRC staff will be providing evidence for the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee inquiry on the topic of Article 2 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework. This session will take place on Wednesday 1 July at 10:45 am.

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣Hosted a stall at the Great Belfast Picnic to mark World Refugee Day 🟣Led Human Rights workshops with pupils at Lumen Christi College

NIHRC staff were delighted to lead workshops at Regent House Grammar School recently. We led 11 workshops, engaging with approximately 400 students. Students learned about the role and core functions of the NIHRC in promoting and protecting the rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick gave the keynote speech at the Great Belfast Picnic on Saturday 20th June, marking World Refugee Day and the conclusion of Refugee Week. Thank you Belfast City of Sanctuary for the invitation. Read the Chief Commissioner’s speech here: nihrc.org/news/detail/...

Ahead of World Refugee Day (20 June 2026), Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick emphasises the universality of human rights – they are for everyone, regardless of their race, nationality or immigration status. Read the full statement here: nihrc.org/.../celebrat.... #WorldRefugeeDay See less

NIHRC has an e-newsletter which rounds up all the news and activity at the Commission every month. If you would like to receive the monthly e-newsletter, you can subscribe at the link below 👇 nihrc.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, will give evidence to the Committee for Justice today, alongside policy colleagues. The session will focus on the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill. Watch live from 2pm at this link: niassembly.tv/live-stream-2/ @niassembly.gov.uk

Today, the Commission hosted a Strategic Litigation Forum meeting. Our forum meets twice yearly and brings together lawyers in organisations working on human rights strategic litigation. Thanks to everyone for attending and contributing to discussions.

NIHRC has submitted a response to the Executive Office's consultation on the Framework for Race Relations. Read our response in full here: nihrc.org/publication/...

NIHRC has an e-newsletter which rounds up all the news and activity at the Commission every month. If you would like to receive the monthly e-newsletter, you can subscribe at this link: nihrc.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe... Read the May edition at this link: mailchi.mp/nihrc/northe... See less

The NIHRC office will be closed on Monday 25th May for the bank holiday, reopening on Tuesday 26th May.

The NIHRC has responded to the Department of Education’s revised draft guidance on the use of restrictive interventions in educational settings. The Commission has made a number of recommendations based on the European Convention on Human Rights. Read our full advice: nihrc.org/publication/...

One of NIHRC’s statutory remits is to promote human rights in Northern Ireland. Over the past few weeks, Commission staff engaged with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including... (1/3)

(1/2)The Commission has published a briefing paper on human rights and budgeting, exploring the connection between government budgets and their responsibilities to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. 👇Check out our key recommendations below 📄Read the briefing paper: nihrc.org/publication/...

This Sunday, two NIHRC teams took on the Belfast Marathon Team Relay, fundraising for the @thestrokeassoc.bsky.social. Congratulations to Team Fantastic and Team Grand Job on an incredible achievement. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported us!

(1/5) This week, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Delivered policy training to the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RAISE)

The NIHRC office will be closed on Monday 4th May for the bank holiday, reopening on Tuesday 5th May.

Today, the NI Arts & Human Rights Forum held its inaugural meeting, joined by our CEO David Russell. Thank you to Forum Chair Javier Stanziola (Arts Council of Northern Ireland), all forum members, & to our speakers Community Arts Partnership & WIP Academy for sharing their insights & experience.

The Commission has published a briefing paper on human rights and budgeting, exploring the connection between government budgets and their responsibilities to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights. Watch the Chief Commissioner's video below. Read the briefing paper: nihrc.org/publication/...

NIHRC Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick participated in @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social event examining the relationship between the European Convention on Human Rights and the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. Read her full speech here: nihrc.org/news/detail/...

Over the past week, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Spoke to the team at the @nipsocomms.bsky.social, chatting to them about the work that we do in promoting & protecting human rights in Northern Ireland.

Our Chief Commissioner participated in today’s event at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social examining the relationship between the ECHR & the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. Thank you to QUB Human Rights Centre & the Institute for Global Peace, Security & Justice for convening this important discussion.

One the Commission’s core remits is to promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. Over the past week, Commission staff engaged with several stakeholders and groups to promote human rights. Read more below.

📢 The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is inviting applications for the appointment of four Commissioners to the NIHRC. To find out more and apply, click here: apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9262 📅 Closing date: Midday, 1st May 2026

Today we held the CFNHRI Sport & Human Rights Workshop — exploring children’s rights in sport, sport-for-change practice (BrightStar Boxing and Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland) and how NHRIs can support sporting bodies on inclusion. Thanks to all speakers and participants!

📢 The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is inviting applications for the appointment of four Commissioners to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Commissioners play a vital role in providing expertise, oversight, and strategic leadership to our work.

📢 Only 5 days left to apply to join us as Digital Communications Assistant! Applications close at 12:00 noon on Monday 13 April. For full details and application see: nihrc.org/about-us/car...

The NIHRC have responded to the Department of Education’s Consultation on the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy Read our response here: nihrc.org/publication/...

One of NIHRC’s duties is to promote the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. This week, our staff engaged with several stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including a workshop for young people, a business and human rights meeting, and a human rights and climate change talk.

The NIHRC office will be closed on Friday 3rd April and Monday 6th April for the Easter bank holiday, reopening on Tuesday 7th April.

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick was delighted to take part in a panel discussion at the @ganhri.bsky.social Annual Meeting 2026, alongside the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and GANHRI Chairperson, Amina Bouayach. (1/2)

📣 We’re hiring! NIHRC invites applications for the post of: Digital Communications Assistant (Permanent) (Full-time). Applications close on Monday 13 April. For full details and application see: nihrc.org/about-us/car... #vacancy #jobfairy

NIHRC plays a key international leadership role this week as Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick, in her position as Secretary of @ganhri.bsky.social, attends the 2026 Annual Conference of the global network of UN member state NHRIs. Read more: ganhri.org/event/ganhri...

NIHRC is pleased to support today’s 'Work with Men and Boys' event in collaboration with Belfast City Council and NI Executive, bringing community partners together to end violence against women and girls. #EndViolenceBelfast

Dr David Russell, CEO of the NIHRC, successfully facilitated a panel at today’s CFNHRI high‑level dialogue in London on protecting civic space. Thank you to our Commonwealth partners for the vital exchange — we remain committed to defending human rights, civic freedoms & democratic participation.

We were delighted to be invited to St Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen to talk to Year 10 students about human rights and the work of the Commission. Thanks to the students for your great questions and discussion!

Warm welcome to our friends from Kosovo! Honoured to host the Conversations of Empowerment delegation in Belfast. Great exchanges on human rights, community empowerment, education, sport and civic participation — learning from each other to build more inclusive, resilient communities.

📣 We’re hiring! NIHRC invites applications for the post of: Digital Communications Assistant (Permanent) (Full-time). Applications close on Monday 13 April. For full details and application see: nihrc.org/about-us/car... #vacancy #jobfairy

Commission staff were delighted to lead an interactive workshop at Integrated College Dungannon yesterday. Year 12 students heard about the work of the Commission and learned about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and discussed the importance of human rights in our society.

21st March marks International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Find out more about this day here: un.org/en/observanc... Read more about the Commission’s work protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland here: nihrc.org

Staff from NIHRC led two interactive workshops with junior and senior classes at St Conor's College today. Students discussed the importance of human rights for everyone, and learned about the laws that protect them. Thank you to the staff and students for the warm welcome!

The NIHRC office will be closed on Tuesday 17th March for the bank holiday, reopening on Wednesday 18th March.

Last week, the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum met to explore the impact of cost of living pressures and poverty on access to sport. Read more about the session here: nihrc.org/news/detail/...

As we approach International Women’s Day, our Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, highlights #IWD2026 must be a call to action to strengthen rights for women and girls, including addressing emerging digital harms, poverty and access to justice and redress. nihrc.org/news/detail/...

On #InternationalWomensDay, the Commission calls for decisive action to protect women and girls across NI. Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers that undermine their safety, dignity, and ability to participate fully in society. Read our statement: nihrc.org/news/detail/... #IWD2026

NIHRC and @equalitycommni.bsky.social have met as part of their role as the Independent Mechanism for Northern Ireland (IMNI). This IMNI meeting discussed ongoing work in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Northern Ireland.