Northern Ireland does not have its own Bill of Rights, yet a Bill of Rights could play a positive role in Northern Ireland's future. We have the highest rates of child poverty in Britain, the highest rate of economic inactivity and lower levels of qualifications among the working population. Let's have a Bill of Rights to help change these things and more.

A Bill of Rights could make an actual difference to people's lives here. It could guarantee that health and social service trusts be more proactive in assisting carers; it could ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland has a right to affordable housing; it could ensure an acceptable level of support for those with mental health problems and that people with a disability in Northern Ireland have their voices heard and listened to.

These rights will only become a reality in the Bill of Rights. Now is the time to have your say about what should be included in our Bill of Rights. Get in touch with the Bill of Rights Forum and tell them your concerns and what you want to see included in your Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights should protect and reflect us all – so have your voice heard. www.billofrightsforum.org

The Human Rights Consortium is independent of government and the Bill of Rights Forum. It has been campaigning for a Bill of Rights for seven years to protect the most vulnerable people in our society. We are a membership-based organisation, with over 120 groups from a diverse range of sectors and constituencies from across Northern Ireland (see list below). We represent children, older people, people with disabilities, homeless people and many more; and we all want the same thing- a Bill of Rights which will protect the most vulnerable in society and help create a better, more just, inclusive and shared Northern Ireland.

Fiona McCausland

Chairperson, Human Rights Consortium