www.caj.org.uk a single equality bill for whom? : from political rhetoric to equality for all debbie...
TRANSCRIPT
www.caj.org.uk
A Single Equality Bill for Whom? : from political rhetoric to equality for all
Debbie Kohner Equality Officer, CAJ
NICEM Annual Conference1 July 2011
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Plan
1. Chronology of Single Equality Bill (SEB) in Northern
Ireland (NI)
2. Political Rhetoric - Stalemate
3. Why a SEB is still necessary in NI
4. What we need in a SEB for NI
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The SEB in NI: a chronology• The First Executive
– 2001• Programme for Government• Open Consultation• Due to be law in 2003
– 2002• Delay in SEB schedule• Specific legislation to be introduced to address EU
Directives
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The SEB in NI: a chronology• The Assembly Suspended
– 2003• Panel of Experts• Informal Consultation
– 2004• Preliminary consultation• Green Paper on a SEB for NI - consultation
– 2006• Still analysing responses• Expect 18 months to prepare
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Chronology → Stalemate• The St Andrew’s Agreement
– Annex B commitment– March 2007 Pre-consultation on SEB
• 2007-11 Assembly– May 2007 motion for SEB– SEB team moved to other areas of work– Discrete legislation and policies– ‘No decision’ on SEB
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Stalemate - Political Rhetoric
• Political rhetoric– Words without action– Opposition to SEB
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DUP ManifestoEU elections 2009
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Stalemate - Political Rhetoric
• Political rhetoric– Words without action– Opposition to SEB
• Current Assembly– Majority of manifestos committed to SEB– SEB not expected in PfG– Discrete pieces of legislation more likely
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Why we need a SEB in NI
• Inconsistencies in NI equality law
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Why we need a SEB in NI
• Inconsistencies in NI equality law
• Complexity of NI equality law
• Concerns over access to justice
• International imperatives
• NI equality law is incomplete
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What we need for SEB in NI• Harmonise, strengthen and simplify NI
equality law
• Not direct import of GB Equality Act
• Build on local work and consultations
• Learn from GB successes and challenges
• Find a local solution to a local context
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Any questions?
Thank you
Debbie Kohner
Equality Programme Officer, CAJ