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The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body in Northern Ireland established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. "The Commission is responsible for implementing the legislation on fair employment, sex discrimination and equal pay, race relations, sexual orientation and disability. The Commission’s remit also includes overseeing the statutory duties on public authorities to promote equality of opportunity and good relations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998."^[1]

About

Commission's Vision: "The Equality Commission has the vision of Northern Ireland as a shared, integrated and inclusive place, a society where difference is respected and valued, based on equality and fairness for the entire community."^[2]

Commission's Mission: "To advance equality, promote equality of opportunity, encourage good relations and challenge discrimination through promotion, advice and enforcement."^[2]

Responsibilities

"The Commission´s duties and functions are set out in the legislation for which we have responsibility. General duties include:

• working towards the elimination of discrimination;
• promoting equality of opportunity and encouraging good practice;
• promoting affirmative/positive action;
• promoting good relations between people of different racial groups;
• overseeing the implementation and effectiveness of the statutory duty on public authorities; and
• keeping the relevant legislation under review."^[2]

On October 1, 1999 the Commission took over the functions previously exercised by the Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland, the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland, the Fair Employment Commission and the Northern Ireland Disability Council.

Since 1999, a number of new pieces of legislation have been introduced. The Commission is now responsible for promoting awareness of and enforcing anti-discrimination law on the following grounds: age, disability, race, sex (including marital and civil partner status), sexual orientation, religious belief and political opinion.

Reactions

In July, 2009, Peter Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party criticised the Commission for having insufficient Protestant representation. Sinn Fein defended the Commission.^[3]

See also

• Equality and Human Rights Commission (England, Scotland and Wales)
• Equality Authority (Republic of Ireland)
• Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

References

External links

• Equality Commission for Northern Ireland