Christine Bell
(Resigned from the commission in Feb 2002)
"The chief commissioner's position has been untenable for some time and it is difficult to see how things can move forward without him resigning. However, both governments, in particular the British government, have a responsibility to affirm the importance of an independent commission and they can best do this by ensuring an independent appointments process and issuing a clear plan for implementing the various recommendations that have been made by a number bodies."
Inez McCormack
(Resigned from the commission in Feb 2002)
"I think the only way to restore confidence in accountability and probity is for the chair to resign. To restore independence and confidence, a new appointments procedure, independent of the NIO and involving people with human rights experience, should be established. The composition of the commission should also include people with human rights experience and reflect the composition of society."
Patricia Kelly
(A serving commissioner, she stood down from its day-to-day activities in September 2003)
"Given that the commission was funding the Applicant (the Holy Cross parent) the independence, confidentiality and integrity of the commission were compromised by the action of the chief commissioner and other commissioners when they communicated with the respondent (the Police) in the Holy Cross case. The recent Action Plan, which was supposed to address this issue, fails to recognise and address the fundamental nature of this breach of confidentiality. The independence of the commission was further compromised by the involvement of the NIO in the drafting of the Action plan. Sadly the chief commissioner has failed in his leadership and it is with regret that I conclude that he should resign immediately to enable public confidence to be restored."
Frank McGuinness
(A serving commissioner, he stood down from its day-to-day activities in September 2003)
"Independence and the public perception of independence are essential to a properly functioning human rights commission. Action must be taken to restore confidence in the integrity of the NIHRC as an independent institution that is competent to promote and protect human rights. Unless this is achieved it will not be possible to attract the best possible candidates for appointment to the commission."
Chris McGimpsey
(Resigned as a commissioner last week to stand in the assembly elections as a Ulster Unionist candidate)
"I think there is clearly a co-ordinated campaign being waged against the commission in general and the chief commissioner in particular, which unless it abates will destroy the NIHRC and the valuable work it has been undertaking for the last number of years. If (Mr Dickson) was to resign, it would be a blow the commission could not survive."
Patrick Yu
(Resigned in July 2003. He could not be contacted yesterday. At the time of his resignation he cited concerns over the commission's proposals for a Bill of Rights and raised these in a letter to the secretary of state.)
Angela Hegarty
(Resigned in 2000 for personal reasons. She could not be contacted yesterday.)
The commission issued a joint statement last night which it said represented the position of serving commissioners, pictured in order from the top: the Rev Harold Good, Margaret-Ann Dinsmore, Tom Donnelly, Lady Christine Eames, Tom Hadden and Kevin McLaughlin.
The statement in full reads:
"Over the summer period and into October, the commission had a number of discussions. Those participating in these discussions included political parties, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and officials representing the British and Irish governments. All points made to the commission were carefully considered but the wording of the resulting Action Plan, issued on 15 October, was the commission's and the commission's alone.
"The independence of the commission was to the forefront of commissioners' minds throughout this process. Patricia Kelly and Frank McGuinness, who withdrew from the Commission in September, chose not to involve themselves in the discussions leading to the production of the Action Plan.
"The commission's support of a case against the chief constable regarding the policing of the situation at the Holy Cross School has been documented at length by the Irish News over the past four months. The commission has long acknowledged that a letter should not have been sent to the Chief Constable revealing internal divisions of opinion.
"The chief commissioner is confident that such a letter could not and would not be sent in any future case. Commissioners were always unanimous in their condemnation of the conduct towards the Holy Cross schoolgirls.
"The commission has nothing further to add. Given that there is strong support for Brice Dickson from other members of the commission, he has indicated that he will not be resigning."
