Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Did you know the Commission monitors international and regional human rights standards? Human rights treaties are agreements that governments commit to uphold.

The Commission monitors how these commitments are being implemented in Northern Ireland and reports to bodies such as the UN and the Council of Europe. This helps track progress, identify areas where improvements are needed and hold governments accountable for the commitments they have made.

Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, spoke and participated in a panel discussion at the North West Migrants Forum event today to mark Black History Month 2026.

How can we ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and used in a way that protects human rights? NIHRC has submitted its response to the Northern Ireland Draft Artificial Intelligence Strategy, highlighting the importance of placing human rights at the heart of AI governance.

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Delivered human rights workshops to students at Lumen Christi College and Mount Lourdes Grammar School as part of Good Relations Week.

🟣 Attended the European regional consultation with GANHRI (Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions) and the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change.

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Delivered human rights workshops to students at Lumen Christi College and Mount Lourdes Grammar School as part of Good Relations Week.

🎧Have you listened to our latest Shared Goals podcast episode yet? Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/episode/2QGa... @un-spexperts.bsky.social

Topics include: 🟣Ageism 🟣Discrimination in healthcare, housing, employment 🟣Autonomy 🟣Loneliness 🟣Digital exclusion 🟣Poverty 🟣Social protection 🟣Violence against older persons

🎧Have you listened to our latest Shared Goals podcast episode yet? Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/episode/2QGa... @un-spexperts.bsky.social

Our Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, was pleased to speak at the XVII Warsaw Human Rights Seminar, hosted today at the historic Palace of the Commonwealth in Warsaw.

This year’s seminar focuses on a critical modern challenge: “Justice in the Digital Era: Balancing Innovation, Efficiency and the Right to a Fair Trial under the European Convention on Human Rights”.

One way NIHRC protects human rights is by publishing submissions, briefing papers, research and consultation responses. Why? To help inform debate and decision-making across government, legislatures and public authorities, with the aim of strengthening human rights protections in Northern Ireland.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. A human rights-based approach to mental health means recognising the dignity, equality and rights of everyone, and working to ensure people can access the support and services they need.

It also references recommendations to strengthen mental health support systems, improve access to services and resources, and ensure targeted interventions for people experiencing mental health problems.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. A human rights-based approach to mental health means recognising the dignity, equality and rights of everyone, and working to ensure people can access the support and services they need.

An image of a young child appears alongside this information. The video then discusses the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Review of the UK and Northern Ireland.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. A human rights-based approach to mental health means recognising the dignity, equality and rights of everyone, and working to ensure people can access the support and services they need.

The video explains that World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide and mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health difficulties.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. A human rights-based approach to mental health means recognising the dignity, equality and rights of everyone, and working to ensure people can access the support and services they need.

In this video, we’re highlighting an example of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s policy work on mental health and our role in promoting and protecting human rights across Northern Ireland. To find out more about our policy work visit: nihrc.org

This week, we launched the Frontier Workers Case Studies Resource. This resource aims to helps navigate the complex landscape of rights for frontier workers and their families after the UK’s exit from the EU and is comprised of six case studies based-

on common situations frontier workers and their families find themselves in. Want to know more? Visit nihrc.org/our-work/bre... to learn about frontier workers and their rights.

Today, we’re launching the Frontier Workers Case Studies Resource. Join us to learn more about frontier workers and their rights: youtube.com/live/4Z-rsFB...

Dr Sylvia de Mars, Newcastle University, author of the resource, "Frontier workers rights is one of those areas of law where injustices are happening, but not much academic attention is paid even though it is extremely important.

Today, we’re launching the Frontier Workers Case Studies Resource. Join us to learn more about frontier workers and their rights: youtube.com/live/4Z-rsFB...

Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the NI Human Rights Commission, said "Human rights cannot be theoretical, they must be real. And these must be real for everyone, clear, at everyone’s reach and guaranteed”

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Chaired a meeting of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Sports Working Group.

🟣 Released the latest episode of our Rights at the Finish line podcast, featuring Orla Smyth, athlete, Team Manager and Chair at Transplant Sport NI. 🟣 Published article in The Law Society of Northern Ireland's ‘The Writ’ on Human Rights in the era of AI. Read it here: issuu.com/.../docs/wri...

Over the past few weeks, Commission staff undertook a range of engagement activities with stakeholders and groups to promote human rights, including: 🟣 Chaired a meeting of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Sports Working Group.

🟣 Attended the @ennhri.bsky.social Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons at the @dimr.bsky.social 🟣 Hosted a workshop at Belfast Central Library as part of Culture Night 2026. We invited post primary students to engage with the topics of human rights and climate through creativity.

(1/3) On the International Day of Older Persons, we are delighted to release a new episode of our ‘Shared Goals’ podcast with guest Zvezdan Pirtošek, the United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/episode/2QGa...

(3/3) We explore how a human rights-based approach can help address these barriers and enable older persons to claim and exercise their rights; as well as developments on a legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons.

(1/3) On the International Day of Older Persons, we are delighted to release a new episode of our ‘Shared Goals’ podcast with guest Zvezdan Pirtošek, the United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/episode/2QGa...

How does the Commission help protect human rights? One way is by providing advice to government. The Commission has statutory functions to advise the Northern Ireland Assembly, the UK Government and Parliament on laws, policies and other measures that affect human rights in NI.