حقوقك في أيرلندا الشمالية

You are entitled to inform someone (for example a friend or family member) that you have
been arrested.
You are entitled to speak to a solicitor for free.
The right to consult a solicitor or to inform someone about your arrest can be delayed only
in very serious circumstances.
Once cautioned, you can be interviewed and charged with an offence. You should be given a
written notice of any caution/offence. Any interviews should be recorded – either in writing
or through tape recording.
If your detention lasts up to 24 hours you must be allowed a continuous period of rest of at
least eight hours.
A police officer cannot threaten to use or actually use violence against you.
7.6 How can I make a complaint against the police?
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by a police officer you can contact the Police
Ombudsman’s Office, which is entirely independent from the police service. The address
can be found at the end of this chapter in the list of Useful contacts.
7.7 What is the role of the police service in my safety?
The police service has a legal responsibility to protect life and property; preserve order;
prevent crime (uphold the law); and where a crime has been committed, take measures to
bring the offender to justice.
The police service has dedicated units and officers to deal with specific crimes and incidents
such as domestic violence, sexual offences and child abuse; and policing advice is freely
available from any police station.
Every police district in Northern Ireland also has a Dedicated Hate Incident & Minority
Liaison Officer (HIMLO). HIMLOs advise and support people who have been victims of crime
or incidents because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or disability. These are known
as hate crimes.
If you become a victim of a hate crime, there are a number of organisations that can help
you in different ways. These are listed in Chapter 9. Advice and support agencies, at the end
of this Guide.
Hate Crime can be reported to the PSNI (see address in Useful contacts at the end of this
chapter). Reporting can be done in person, by someone else for you, by letter, phone call or
online at www.psni.police.uk/index/advice-andlegislation/advice_hate_crime/hate_crime_reporting.htm
7.8 What should I know before travelling from Northern Ireland to the
Republic of Ireland?
You must remember that the Republic of Ireland (including the capital city Dublin and
County Donegal) is a separate country to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the
United Kingdom (UK).
Your biometric residence card only permits you to live in the UK. It does not permit you to
travel or to live in the Republic of Ireland.
If you wish to travel to the Republic of Ireland, you must first apply for the necessary
permission (visa) and you may need a travel document (see chapter 1: living in the UK).
92