• Advice and
  benefits
• Business
   
• Community
  and living
• Council and
  democracy
• Education
  and learning
• Environment
  and planning
• Health and
  social care
• Housing
   
• Jobs and
  careers
• Leisure
  and culture
• Tourism
   
• Transport
  and streets

• Equality
• Discrimination
• Civil rights
• Immigration
• Legal system

Equality

Belfast, like many other towns and cities in Ireland, has a diverse population, which includes differences in age, ethnicity, social and academic background, wealth, political belief, faith and ability.

The principle of equality is now applied to deal with employment, education, training and housing opportunities for all residents. This establishes equal rights for all people, and seeks to create a fair and balanced society across Northern Ireland.

Human rights, as defined in the European Convention of Human Rights, are now enshrined in Northern Irish law where recent legislation has been passed or updated.

Human rights are basic freedoms which protect the dignity and individualism of each person. These rights recognise each person’s entitlement to: life; protection from torture; protection from slavery and forced labour; respect for private and family life; protection from discrimination; secret ballot in regular elections; protection of property; freedom of expression; freedom to marry; freedom of assembly and association; a fair trial; education.

People from overseas who come to visit, study or work in Belfast, are immigrants. Northern Ireland is bound by UK immigration law which requires people from outside the European Union to have valid entry visas on arrival in Belfast.