Emma DeSouza: Human Rights in a Post-Brexit Northern Ireland

Emma DeSouza is an Irish writer, political commentator, journalist and campaigner. DeSouza sued the British Home Secretary over her right under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement to be accepted as an Irish citizen for the purposes of European Union family reunion rights with her US husband. The case resulted in substantial changes to domestic UK immigration rules. In May 2020, the British Home Office announced that the people of Northern Ireland would be considered EU citizens for immigration purposes. This result was cited as a significant victory, although DeSouza dropped her action against the UK Government after the concession was delivered, meaning there was no final legal resolution to the case.

Her other campaign work includes voting rights for Irish citizens abroad and campaigning for full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Emma will also discuss Northern Ireland after the recent elections, in which she was a candidate.