Northern Ireland Office

Leading Australian Human Rights lawyer and activist, Chris Sidoti has been appointed as the independent Chair of the Bill of Rights Forum.

Human Rights Minister David Hanson MP has said that the appointment of Mr Sidoti brings a level of expertise to the Forum which will be invaluable as it takes forward its work.

David Hanson said: “A champion of human rights throughout his career, Chris Sidoti brings to the Forum not only immense experience as a lawyer, teacher and activist in the field of human rights and justice but also provides a valuable international dimension to the work of the Forum.

“I am delighted that he has agreed to Chair and lead the important work of the Forum in contributing to the shaping of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.  Appointing a person of such standing underlines the Government’s commitment to Human Rights.

“Chris will find as I did when I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Forum that the input from all participants is very positive and constructive and is a clear signal that the Forum can bring a new momentum to the discussion of a Bill.

“I am confident that the Forum under his leadership will agree valuable recommendations that will contribute significantly to the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in providing its advice on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.”  

David Hanson also emphasised that the Forum would now work independently of Government.  Mr Sidoti is expected to call an early plenary meeting of the Forum to get business underway.

Notes to Editors

The Government committed at the conclusion of the St Andrews discussions to set up a Bill of Rights Forum before the end of 2006.  After a brief consultation period the government concluded that the Forum should consist of 28 members - 14 politicians from the main political parties and 14 representatives of ‘civic society’ - employers, trade unions, churches, human rights groups, women, young people, old people, disabled people, ethnic minorities, people of all sexual orientations.  

The Forum’s work will inform the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as it fulfils its statutory duty to provide advice to the Secretary of State on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights reflecting the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland.

The Forum is expected to complete its work by the end of December 2007.

Chris Sidoti

Since 2003 Chris has been director of the International Service for Human Rights, a non-government organisation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, that works closely with the United Nations human rights system. A human rights lawyer, activist and teacher, he has been Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1995-2000), Australian Law Reform Commissioner (1992-1995), and Foundation Director of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1987-1992).  He has also worked in a number of non-government human rights organisations. While based in Australia until 2003, he worked extensively in the Asia Pacific region undertaking human rights training, policy and advisory work in many countries. He is a visiting professor at the University of Western Sydney and Griffith University in Australia.