📢 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.

NIHRC is delighted to be a Work Placement Project Partner for the 2026 Washington Ireland Academy. The Academy is an 8-week leadership programme for young people aged 18 to 25 involved in community work on a voluntary or professional basis who are dedicated to peace, reconciliation and cooperation.

Today NIHRC staff took part in the Hunterhouse College careers fair. We spoke to Year 10 students about our work at the Commission to promote and protect the rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. Thank you to the staff and students for your time and best wishes with the rest of your studies!

Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, will give evidence to the Committee for Education today, alongside policy colleagues. The session will focus on the proposed Committee Bill to allow all pupils the choice to wear trousers. Watch live from 2pm at this link: niassembly.tv/live-stream-2/

Today, the NI Sport & Human Rights Forum explored how poverty and cost of living issues can create barriers to sport. The meeting was chaired by Commonwealth Games NI, and speakers included NIHRC, Dr Maria O'Kane from Ulster University, Sported NI, Berlin Swifts/Swiftettes FC and Mentribe.

If you missed our Annual Human Rights Lecture 2026, delivered by Sir Tim Eicke KC, former Judge of European Court of Human Rights in respect of the United Kingdom, you can now watch it back here: www.youtube.com/live/DolngLZ... #AHRL2026

NIHRC staff were delighted to deliver a workshop at St Malachy's College Belfast yesterday. The GCSE Politics pupils discussed the work of the Commission and what their fundamental human rights are. Thanks to the students for their engagement in the session!

Denise Kiley KC, Vice-Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, welcomes attendees and highlights the significance of human rights law in the Northern Ireland peace process before introducing the Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan. #AHRL2026

Join us today for the live stream of our Annual Human Rights Lecture 2026. The keynote address will be delivered by Sir Tim Eicke KC, former Judge of European Court of Human Rights in respect of the United Kingdom. Watch the event live at 4pm here: youtube.com/live/DolngLZ... #AHRL2026

Today, NIHRC staff led an interactive workshop at Priory Integrated College in Holywood. Pupils learned about the work of the Commission, the history of human rights and looked at case studies where human rights were impeded. Thank you to the students and staff at Priory for welcoming us!

There's still time to register for the live stream of our Annual Human Rights Lecture 2026, taking place on Thursday 26th February from 4pm - 6pm. The keynote speech will be given by Sir Tim Eicke KCMG KC, former Judge elected in respect of the United Kingdom on the European Court of Human Rights.

Today, we joined Commonwealth Games NI at the Schools Conference at the City Hall. Thank you to all students who participated in exploring and discussing human rights issues in sport.

Join us on Thursday 26th February from 4pm - 6pm for the live stream of our Annual Human Rights Lecture 2026. The keynote speech will be given by Sir Tim Eicke KCMG KC, former Judge elected in respect of the United Kingdom on the European Court of Human Rights.

Yesterday, NIHRC staff led a workshop with Mencap Heroes students at St Gerard's School. The young people learned about human rights, the work of the Commission, sports and human rights, and more. Thank you to Mencap and St Gerard's for having us, and to the students for their great questions!

NIHRC staff were delighted to lead a workshop with Mencap Heroes students at Longstone School. The young people talked about their human rights, including the right to education, health and security. Thanks to Mencap Heroes and Longstone for inviting us out!

NIHRC staff led 3 interactive workshops with Year 10 students in St Louise's Comprehensive College today. Pupils learned about the Commission, what our fundamental human rights are, and how human rights relate to business and sport. Thank you to St Louise's Comprehensive College for having us!

This afternoon, Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick is giving evidence to the Human Rights (Joint Committee) at Westminster. The session will focus on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. Watch live from 2.15pm: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

Today, the Independent Mechanism for NI (IMNI) Disability Stakeholder Forum met to discuss issues affecting persons with disability in Northern Ireland. The @nihrc.bsky.social and @equalitycommni.bsky.social provided updates on work they are doing in this area.

NIHRC staff delivered an interactive workshop yesterday at North West Regional College, with BTEC Uniform Protective Services students. Participants learned about the work of the Commission and discussed the importance of human rights. Thanks to the students and to NWRC for having us!

The NIHRC website will be unavailable today, Wednesday 14 January, from 9am to 1pm due to planned maintenance. If you need to contact the Commission during this time, please call 028 9024 3987 or email [email protected].

Our 2025 Annual Human Rights Statement contains details on many human rights issues affecting Northern Ireland. Read it here: nihrc.org/publication/... 🔴14 Red - issues require immediate action 🟡96 Amber - issues require action 🟢0 Green – issues resolved

The NIHRC office will be closed from 24 - 26 December 2025, and 1 January 2026.

We are seeking expressions of interest for two upcoming projects on our rights after Brexit work: • Research examining ‘human rights and criminal justice co-operation on the island of Ireland after Brexit’. • Development of ‘Training Resources on Article 2 of the Windsor Framework’.

Today is International Migrants Day, which is an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions of migrants to our society. The theme for 2025 is: My Great Story: Cultures and Development. Read more about this day here: www.un.org/en/observanc...

We were delighted to welcome Professor Amy Maguire from the School of Law and Justice at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and visiting scholar at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social, to the NIHRC office today. Amy discussed the landscape and shared insights about human rights in Australia.

The launch event for our research, “Windsor Framework Article 2: Enforcement and Remedies” has started with a welcome from Dr David Russell, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

We’re at the Europa Hotel for the launch of our research report, “Windsor Framework Article 2: Enforcement and Remedies”. You can read the full research report here: nihrc.org/publication/...

The @nihrc.bsky.social are today launching a major new report, by @anuragdeb.bsky.social, @sylviademars.me, @aoifemod.bsky.social, Eleni Frantziou and me, on the novel arrangements for remedying breaches of the UK's obligations for rights and equality in NI under Art 2 WF: nihrc.org/assets/uploa...

Our 2025 Annual Human Rights Statement contains details on many human rights issues affecting Northern Ireland. Read it here: nihrc.org/publication/... 🔴14 Red - issues require immediate action 🟡96 Amber - issues require action 🟢0 Green – issue resolved #AS2025

We are launching our new independent research report ‘Windsor Framework Article 2: Enforcement and Remedies'. The event will take place on Tuesday 16 December, from 11am - 12.30pm. Sign up here for online attendance: www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../research....