Concern grows as UK says won't sign up to rights commitments

The British government’s refusal to sign up to human rights commitments as part of its Brexit deal with the EU is very worrying. 

Commenting on the issue, Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard said: "The refusal of the British government to sign up to human rights commitments as part of its Brexit deal with the EU could have huge implications for the rights of people in the north."

Hazzard added: "Michael Gove admitted that not signing up to the commitments would allow the British government to alter human rights legislation. This could pave the way for the British government scrapping the Human Rights Act or leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. This action runs contrary to the protections contained in the Good Friday Agreement, and would raise serious concerns over the rights of people in the north."

Hazzard continued: "There is an onus on the Irish government to ensure that Irish citizens in the north, who will remain EU citizens post Brexit, can continue to access and enjoy EU rights. The Taoiseach [Irish Prime Minister] has given a very public pledge that Irish citizens in the north will not be left behind again and if he is serious about that that he must work to safeguard our rights."

There is a need, said the Sinn Féin MP, "for the EU and Irish government to make sure what has already been agreed between the EU and the British government in the Irish Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement is implemented in full."