Northern Ireland High Court judge Mr. Justice Séamus Treacy has praised the progress made in the field of human rights. Speaking at the annual PJ McGrory Human Rights lecture in St. Mary's University College, Belfast, the previous human rights barrister and now High Court judge discussed the rule of law and the role of lawyers in defending and upholding human rights.
Speaking on the modern post-Human Rights Act judicial system, the judge outlined that there is now no alleged abuse of human rights which is not reviewable by an independent court, with rights of appeal and an ultimate claim to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. Commenting on the rule of law, the judge outlined that it is "what separates the civilised and politically mature democracy from other regimes where citizens do not have an effective voice to challenge abuses of State power". Mr. Justice Treacy continued, "If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, that vigilance will be exercised by an alert and informed community with access to a strong independent, sufficiently resourced legal profession and by independent judges whose role is to uphold the law without fear or favour".
Please find attached to this week's bulletin the full speech of Mr. Justice Treacy. PILA acknowledges with thanks Féile an Phobail's permission to reprint the text of this speech in the PILA bulletin.