"The position of Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a full-time post"and:
"The terms and conditions of the Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) require them to inform the Secretary of State and the NIHRC's chief executive in advance of any appointments that may impinge on their duties as Commissioners and to declare any conflicts of interest. The NIHRC code of practice also contains further guidance for Commissioners."The emphasis in the last answer is mine.
Through the means of a number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, I’ve discovered details of two foreign trips undertaken by Professor McWilliams in the space of 2 months during the latter part of 2009. The nature and timing of these, I believe, call into question that "full-time" requirement, the "conflicts of interest" and most damagingly of all, her own professionalism.
Firstly, as I mentioned here, the Republic of Ireland’s Embassy in Uganda press release mentioned Professor McWilliams had undertaken a visit on their behalf to the country. Interesting enough, the response to my FOI request stated:
The Commission incurred the following expenditure in respect of a visit by the Chief Commissioner to Uganda on 28 September – 2 October 2009:Her own diary, (only recently, ie February this year, updated) stated:
· Vaccinations: £78.00
· Travel Visa: £30.04
Please note that, apart from these costs, the visit was sponsored and funded by the Irish Ambassador to Uganda.
27 September to 4 OctoberIt’s not clear whether the visit was in fact 4 days as stated on the FOI answer, or 8 as stated by Ms McWilliams herself. What is important is that this was a trip made on behalf of the Republic’s government, with the expenses largely paid for by them. However, the fact that the NIHRC paid for her vaccinations and visa, indicates that this was not a "leave" situation; in other words, during those 8 days in which she was being paid by the UK government (and ultimately the UK taxpayer), she was effectively undertaking work for another state.
Participated in an international visit to Uganda, sponsored by the Irish Ambassador to Uganda which included two-day visit, with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, to Gulu, the former conflict zone in Northern Uganda, and meetings with the African Centre for Victims of Torture and an Internal Displaced Persons Camp; delivered a plenary address on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Kampala and led a number of workshops with the justice and law sectors. Also met with the Lord Chief Justice and the British Ambassador.
On the 30th November 2009, Shaun Woodward delivered his government’s verdict on the Bill of Rights proposed by the NIHRC. It wasn’t a positive one.
As I noted before, the nature of the response from the NIHRC was unexpected:
Given her past form, the response from Monica McWilliams, the Full-Time Chief Commissioner for the NIHRC, was strangely muted:
"The Human Rights Commission welcomes this consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Following the advice submitted by the Commission to the Northern Ireland Office last December, we will now carefully consider the Government’s proposals before issuing a full response in due course"
The reason it was "muted" is now clear. At this crucial time for the proposed Bill and the NIHRC, the Full-Time commissioner of the organisation was actually not even in the country; this from another FOI:
26 November Visit to Timor Leste with Dame Nuala O’Loan, to 4 December: Ireland’s Special Envoy to Timor Leste, with representatives from WAVE (victims group) and Women’s Aid on issues relating to gender based violence in conflict situations. Timor Leste, Liberia and Northern Ireland are linked in a three country project funded by the Irish Government’s Conflict Resolution Unit as part of the response to UN Security Council Resolution 1325According to the NIHRC:
No foreign travel costs were incurred by the Chief Commissioner during the period (between 20 October 2009 and 30 January 2010) in question
Meaning, once again, Professor McWilliams’ expenses were paid in full by the Republic’s government and given the timing, the details of this trip raises even more questions about her suitability to continue in the post:
1. In the space of 2 highly important months for the NIHRC, a quarter of her time had been spent out of the Northern Ireland on non-N.Irish related Human Rights affairs. She is employed as a full-time Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; the UK tax-payer is not paying her to undertake duties as a roving international Human Rights Ambassador.
2. Those trips have been undertaken on behalf of and have been paid by the Republic’s government- a new version of the NIHRC Register of Interests is now posted up on its website with no mention of any work paid or otherwise anywhere for the Irish Government
3.November 30th- December 1st 2009 were the most crucial couple of days last year for the NIHRC. Yet its full-time Chief Commissioner was not available for comment, never mind interview as she was engaged in a project on behalf of another country on the other side of world. This displays an appalling lack of professionalism.
It is a vital time for human rights in Northern Ireland and I’m not alone in saying I don’t believe Professor McWilliams is the person to deliver what is really required via the NIHRC... but I’ve spent a fair bit of time on this and because of that, I’m wary of over-reacting on the information I have so far pulled out. However, I do think there is the strong basis of a case to be answered here; I’d be grateful to hear the opinion of those perhaps more experienced in these matters.
(Thanks are due to both Fair Deal, Michael Shilliday for their help on this).
Postscript:
Just had a quick check of the Chief Commissioner's diary on the NIHRC website. As of this morning, it finishes on the 6th of November 2009.
11 comments:
Get a life.
This is pedantic in the extreme and illustrates little knowledge of the extent of international cooperation in the field.
Anonymous 1
Why someone would take the 20 seconds out of their own obviously worthwhile existance to ask someone else to "get a life" puzzles me.
Probably you should be thankful that I am respectful enough of data protection law not to disclose which organisation you were typing your insightful comment from.
Anonymous 2
My partner works for a NGO with a budget that would dwarf probably not only the NIHRC but also the entire NI Human Rights Industry.
So, I do have a reasonably direct knowledge of how international cooperation can help in the furtherance of human rights generally.
However, the reason that her organisation is considered one of the most successful in their field is their narrow focus and also the tight control maintained over the "officers in the field", as it were. It may do Ms McWilliams' ego no end of good for her opinion to be listened to respectfully from the Far East to Central Africa, courtesy of the UK taxpayer. I'd be interested to hear, though, how it pushes forwards human rights in NI.
Finally, the rather obvious difference between the organisation my wife works for and the NIHRC is the nature fo their funding. If my partner and her colleagues decides an all-expenses paid "Retreat" to the Seychelles is necessary for the futherance of their project's objectives, then they are responsible only to the philnatrophist whose money they are spending.
Ms Williams' responsibility, however, is to each UK taxpayer who collectively shells out her 70grand a year salary. She, therefore, should expect stronger examination of her activities.
>>So, I do have a reasonably direct knowledge of how international cooperation can help in the furtherance of human rights generally.<<
I am tempted to echo anonymous 1 comments Oneil, but you have obviously spent considerable time here getting het up over very little.
I would be of the opinion that she is gaining great experience as she goes to some of the places that has seen some of the worst human rights abuses and how they have dealt with it. Uganda and East Timor are two excellent examples of this.
>>It may do Ms McWilliams' ego no end of good for her opinion to be listened to respectfully from the Far East to Central Africa, courtesy of the UK taxpayer. I'd be interested to hear, though, how it pushes forwards human rights in NI.<<
Ignorant and petty in the extreme! She is being paid to work for a UK quango but it was virtually a fully paid trip by the Irish government so kudos to them. And if truth be told better for yours and my pocket. She get's loads of eye-witness experience at no cost to us.
>>..If my partner and her colleagues decides an all-expenses paid "Retreat" to the Seychelles is necessary for the futherance of their project's objectives...<<
Deliberately obfuscating the nature of the trip, and comparing to luxury holiday destinations only highlights the pettiness Oneil.
>>..She is employed as a full-time Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; the UK tax-payer is not paying her to undertake duties as a roving international Human Rights Ambassador.<<
Exactly the UK govt. are paying her the same wage as if she was in Belfast only she is out in the field for free. Shouldn't there be some kind of gratitude there?
If you think the Irish government robbed her of her notes and what she learned from the trip then I will back your take 100% until then I leave you to your folly.
Tony
am tempted to echo anonymous 1 comments Oneil, but you have obviously spent considerable time here getting het up over very little.
If we are both starting from the same point, ie the importance of guaranteeing human rights in NI, then we both should be agreeing it’s a subject worth getting het up over.
I would be of the opinion that she is gaining great experience as she goes to some of the places that has seen some of the worst human rights abuses and how they have dealt with it. Uganda and East Timor are two excellent examples of this.
She’s being paid a basic of 70 grand a year to do a job in N.Ireland- if she didn’t have the requisite ability or experience at the time of appointment to do that job, then she shouldn’t have been appointed
Ignorant and petty in the extreme! She is being paid to work for a UK quango but it was virtually a fully paid trip by the Irish government so kudos to them. And if truth be told better for yours and my pocket. She get's loads of eye-witness experience at no cost to us.
If she had taken it as leave, then you have a point. But she didn’t so, every day she was in Uganda and East Timor, she was being paid by you and I.
”Deliberately obfuscating the nature of the trip, and comparing to luxury holiday destinations only highlights the pettiness Oneil.”
Where the comparison falls down is not in the nature of the destination, but in the nature of who's funding the jaunt. You and I were funding Ms McWilliams’ trip.
”Exactly the UK govt. are paying her the same wage as if she was in Belfast only she is out in the field for free.”
And from whom does the UK govt get the cash to pay that wage whilst she’s out in the “field for free”?
A little experiment for you to try out with the boss tomorrow, tell him you’re off for the next week. I’ll be paying for your travel out and hotel but you’re expecting him to keep paying you as if it was a normal working day. You may get some useful experience that helps you in your job, you may not. Get back to me tomorrow evening with his answer;)
Oneil
>>If we are both starting from the same point, ie the importance of guaranteeing human rights in NI, then we both should be agreeing it’s a subject worth getting het up over.<<
Challenge taken up good sir, show me how "the importance of guaranteeing human rights in NI" has suffered in any way shape or form?
>>She’s being paid a basic of 70 grand a year to do a job in N.Ireland- if she didn’t have the requisite ability or experience at the time of appointment to do that job, then she shouldn’t have been appointed<<
Weak, really weak! Are you saying that as an arrogant NIer or just someone stuck for a credible point? I am astounded by the implications of your comments that someone in her position should know it all already and has nothing to learn from field trips to places that leaves the HR abuses suffered in the UK and Ireland in the shade. C'mon man!
The rest of your comments lack merit. These are places she should be going to. If I was an Irish tax payer I would be shouting about how the benefits of this trip would not be seen in my jurisdiction. However I am sure that the altruistic Irish people......Unionists apart are not than petty.
btw i've e-mailed the Irish government asking if they will fund our Scottish HR trips. Anyone would think that you guys have something against Mrs McWilliams, well have you?
I always find amusing the attitude that accountability os only for certain people but others are not to be questioned.
Interestingly the Presidenmt of 'Timor Leste' complained bitterly only last week about international worthies going on jollies to his benighted state.
Tony,
I've never met professor McWilliams, so personally I have nothing against her.
Challenge taken up good sir, show me how "the importance of guaranteeing human rights in NI" has suffered in any way shape or form?
You've avoided so far the third point that I made re her professionalism. Flying off to east Timor at such an important juncture for her organisatioon displayed a cavaliar attitude to her responsibilities. It is symptomatic; in an environment such as NI 100% focus on realistic targets is required if anything meaningful is to be achieved in this sphere. She doesn't have that focus, the BOR which she ultimately had responsibility for did not have those realistic targets.
PS: Did you try out that experiment with your boss I mentioned;)
Away'n'pockle yir knockle!
I should have just agreed with anonymous 1 and left it at that. You are normally a sensible fela hence why I asked about pre-conceived thoughts on the lady in question. However as you have bodyswerved that one I have no idea why you are getting your knickers twisted over this, as all the benefits far far outweigh your paltry negatives as far as I can see.
Post a Comment