Amnesty International has welcomed the establishment by the Government of the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum, which has its preliminary meeting today at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Programme Director, Patrick Corrigan said:

“As we approach the end of 2006, the Northern Ireland Bill of Rights remains one of the unfulfilled promises of the 1998 Belfast Agreement. Amnesty welcomes today's meeting as a significant step towards the Government meeting its commitment of improved human rights protections for all in Northern Ireland.

"Over the next twelve months, the political and civic representatives at this roundtable have a golden opportunity to forge a world class bill of rights for the people of Northern Ireland. We wish all of Forum members well with their important work. We look towards the Government to ensure that, early in the New Year, there will be an independent, international Chairperson for the Forum to take the place temporarily occupied by Minister David Hanson."