The Northern Ireland Executive has come under criticism for failing to contribute to a UK-wide report on national minorities.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) responded to a report by the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Following the publication of the report, Chief Commissioner Les Allamby said: “This expert UK-wide report focuses on the Protection of National and Ethnic Minorities.

“It makes recommendations for immediate action to be taken in Northern Ireland on Traveller accommodation, Irish language legislation and the Good Relations Duty under the Northern Ireland Act.

“The Commission has continuously engaged with this Committee and highlighted the gaps that exist in Northern Ireland on these issues and others including tackling hate crime and implementation of the Ulster Scots Strategy.

“It is therefore disappointing that the NI Executive has yet again failed to engage in this important process. It follows a chain of non-engagement by the NI Executive in human rights reporting processes. Scotland, England and Wales all report, NI has again failed to do so. Contributing to this process only serves to enhance the rights of vulnerable groups in Northern Ireland and we urge the Executive to address this issue as soon as possible.”