Speeches

Lord Laird – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Northern Ireland Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Laird on 2016-10-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 17 October (HL2170), which body or individual ensures that the Northern Ireland Parades Commission is compliant with international treaty obligations concerning human rights.

Lord Dunlop

There is no one body or individual that is specifically responsible for ensuring the Parades Commission complies with international treaty obligations, including on human rights. Further to my written answer of 17 October, the Commission operates independently of the Government, in line with the provisions contained in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. That Act is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights, and the Commission is accountable to the courts for its operational decisions.