- Commission accredited as an “A” status national human rights institution (NHRI)
- “A” status confers speaking rights at the UN Human Rights Council
- “A” status members hold voting and speaking rights at human rights treaty bodies and other UN organs
- Commission eligible for any future speaking rights at the General Assembly
The Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Emily Logan, has today welcomed the decision from the International Coordinating Committee on National Human Rights (ICC) to accredit the Commission, established on 1st November 2014, as an “A” status NHRI.
This recognition underlines the Commission’s domestic and international standing and institutional independence.
Although there are three levels of accreditation, only those awarded an “A” status are fully compliant with the Paris Principles and, as a result, are accorded voting, speaking and seating rights at human rights treaty bodies or other UN organs.
Following the ICC’s announcement Chief Commissioner Emily Logan stated:
“The Commission welcomes the ICC’s decision to accredit it as an “A” status NHRI, confirming that the IHREC is in full compliance with the UN Paris Principles. As a voting member of the ICC, the Commission is now strategically placed to formally join colleagues in the promotion and protection of human rights globally. This recognition is important in terms of achieving the highest domestic credibility and international standing in respect of the Commission’s institutional independence”.
“A” status members participate fully in the international and regional work and meetings of national institutions and hold office in the Bureau of the ICC or any sub-committee the Bureau establishes. These members can also participate in sessions of the Human Rights Council, take the floor under any agenda item and submit documentation.
The ICC, through its Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA), aims to establish and strengthen NHRIs by benchmarking their activities against the United Nations Paris Principles.
The Paris Principles require NHRIs to protect and promote human rights, and compliance is assessed under six main criteria: Mandate and Competence, Autonomy from Government, Independence, Pluralism, Adequate Resources and Adequate Powers of Investigation.
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For further information please contact Laura Brady on 01 8589601/ 087 4399022 or follow the Commission on twitter @_ihrec
Notes to Editors
The International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC):
The ICC, established in 1993, is a global network of NHRIs (administrative bodies set up to protect and promote human rights in a given country). The ICC coordinates the relationship between NHRIs and the United Nations human rights system by reviewing and accrediting the compliance of NHRIs with the UN Paris Principles. The Paris Principles, adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1992 and subsequently by the UN General Assembly in 1993, review and examine the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Institutions, through the Sub-committee on human rights (SCA), can be accredited with the following statuses:
“A” Voting member: complies fully with the Paris Principles. These members can participate fully in the international and regional work and meetings of national institutions and they can hold office in the Bureau of the ICC or any sub-committee the Bureau establishes. These members can also participate in sessions of the Human Rights Council, take the floor under any agenda item and submit documentation.
“B” Observer member: does not fully comply with the Paris Principles or has not yet submitted sufficient documentation to prove compliance. These members cannot vote, hold office, take the floor under agenda items or submit documentation.
“C” Non-member: does not comply with the Paris Principles and has no rights or privileges in the United Nations rights forum.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a permanent observer on the SCA and serves as the secretariat to the ICC and its SCA.
A total of 72 of the 107 NHRIs have achieved “A” Status, including Ireland.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) was set up on 1 November 2014 as an independent public body to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding across Irish society. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 sets out the functions of the Commission, i.e. to ensure that:
- there is respect for, and protection of, everyone’s human rights;
- there is respect for the dignity and worth of each person;
- a person’s ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice, discrimination, or neglect;
- everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to take part in the economic, political, social or cultural life of the State; and
- people respect each other, respect equality and human rights, and understand the value of diversity within society
The IHREC is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognized as such by the United Nations.