Related Information
Securing Human Rights for People with Disabilities in Northern Ireland
Disability Action establishes the Centre for Human Rights for Disabled People in order to bring about concrete improvements in the lives of disabled people. More »
Facts at a Glance
- More than 220 people have been killed in conflict-related deaths since the signing of the Belfast Agreement of 1998. 1
- The number of children in integrated schools is around 17,500, or only about 5% of the school population. 2
- Some 82% of parents personally support integrated education and nearly 75% would personally choose an integrated school for their children if one was available. 3
The Situation in Brief
Northern Ireland is a society emerging from a long and bloody conflict. Inequality and abuse of human rights have had a central role in the conflict, and sustained segregation and discrimination perpetuate social inequity. While the political progress achieved in recent years has been historic, particularly with the establishment of a power-sharing Legislative Assembly in May 2007, there is still much work to be done.
Reconciliation & Human Rights Programme Goals in Northern Ireland
- Encourage sharing, cohesion, and integration by strengthening advocacy efforts, particularly by the communities most affected by the legacy of the conflict
- Protect the rights of immigrants and people with disabilities
- Mobilise broader constituencies of support for human rights.
More Facts At a Glance
- Less than 10% of public housing is integrated.4
- There are 27 government-built walls, fences or other physical barriers in Belfast that mark boundaries between Protestant and Catholic communities, and an additional 10 such structures in other areas of the country.5
- Reports of racially motivated incidents and crimes rose from 453 in March 2004 to 813 in April 2005.6
- More than 20% of the population has a disability – an incidence level higher than that found in Britain or the Republic of Ireland.7
- More than 25% of the population is directly affected by disability issues.8
Continue to read about our Reconciliation & Human Rights Programme in action in the Republic of Ireland »
Footnotes
1, Source: Various sources
2, Source: Department of Education for Northern Ireland
3, Source: Millward Brown, 2003
4, Source: Northern Ireland Housing Executive
5, Source: Northern Ireland Office
6, Source: OFMDFM, 2005
7, Sources: Census, 2001; OFMDFM, 2003
8, Sources: Census, 2001; OFMDFM, 2003