The Committe for the Administration of Justice (CAJ) has responded to the consultation on “Together.  Stronger.  Safer.  Community safety in Northern Ireland ”. 

CAJ recently responded negatively to the proposed consultation process on policing and justice and community safety. In its response:
 
1)       CAJ recommends as a starting point the suspension of this consultation in Northern Ireland until such time as power for criminal justice and policing matters is devolved to the local administration. 
2)       CAJ recommends an immediate and comprehensive screening exercise and Equality Impact Assessment of these proposals and a redrafting of the policy in accordance with the findings of that EQIA.
3)       CAJ recommends that in future easy read versions, all of the proposals contained in the consultation document are included.
4)       CAJ recommends full disclosure of the actual impact of proposals in consultation documents to allow proper and informed consideration by consultees.
5)       CAJ requests an analysis of how these proposals comply with the government’s human rights obligations generally, and particularly the Human Rights Act, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (including the most recent recommendations of its monitoring committee) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 
6)       CAJ recommends that these proposals be withdrawn and the entire strategy be revisited.

The full response can be downloaded here. CAJ community safety strategy response 

Have your say on community safety on the 'YOUR VIEWS' section of www.unisoncommunity.org.