The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) was today present at Ireland’s examination on its human rights record by the UN Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. The IHRC welcomed the thorough scrutiny undertaken by Member States in the Human Rights Council of Ireland’s record, including the many expressions of support for the IHRC and its work, and recognition of the importance of a strong national human rights institution.
Ireland was examined for the first time on its record on all of its human rights obligations (civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights) under the UPR process. The issues highlighted by the Member States of the Human Rights Council reflected many of the concerns raised by the IHRC in advance of the Hearing including gender equality and the participation of women in public life, children’s rights, the situation in prisons, Travellers, racial discrimination and xenophobia, the impact of the economic crisis, trafficking, the rights of migrant workers, the situation of people with disabilities, immigration and family reunification, imprisonment for failure to pay a debt, the rights of LGBT people, and issues of religion and education. Ireland was also called on to ratify a range of international treaties and conventions including, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said "we welcome the scrutiny given today by UN Member States of Ireland’s human rights record. I also welcome the statement by Minister Shatter that human rights must be at the heart of Irish policy. Implementation of the recommendations made in the UN today will show the reality of this commitment. Member States raised a wide range of issues, almost all of which the IHRC had highlighted during this process. Calls by Member States for a national action plan on human rights, which the IHRC has also made, were particularly welcome. Such a plan will demonstrate and help ensure that human rights is indeed at the heart of Irish policy." He added "I regret however, that the Government did not take the opportunity to make voluntary commitments in advance of or at the hearing today. I call on the Government, in accepting the recommendations made by Member States today, to take the opportunity following the UPR process to make the commitments recommended by the IHRC."
Dr Manning continued "many Member States expressed concerns about the potential impact on human rights of the economic crisis. The IHRC has expressed its concerns about this, reminding the Government of its commitments to tackle poverty. I welcome the statement by Minister Shatter that the Government is committed to protecting those in situations of poverty. In line with Ireland’s international human rights obligations, I am calling again on the Government to ensure that the forthcoming budget does not place more people in situations of poverty or at risk of poverty."
In relation to changes to human rights and equality infrastructure, Dr Manning said "I noted Minister Shatter’s statement that the merger of the IHRC and Equality Authority is aimed at creating a strong institution, compliant with the Paris Principles and that proper funding – although not a restoration of funding – would be provided. Many UN Member States raised their concerns about the lack of sufficient resources for the IHRC and expressed their support for us. We hope that the State will ensure that these concerns are taken into account."
Mr Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC said "we welcome the commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) and the statement by the Minister that draft legislation will shortly be published. We look forward to receiving this legislation for review and comment by the IHRC. There is an urgent need for independent, comprehensive oversight of the detention system in Ireland. The concerns raised by Member States about the conditions in Irish prisons highlights once again the pressing need for such an oversight mechanism. I would also recall that there is a strong role envisaged for the National Human Rights Institution in the OPCAT mechanism."
Mr Mac Aodha continued "We also very much welcome the focus placed by a number of Member States on the need for human rights education and training in Ireland. The IHRC has for the past year undertaken a training project for the Civil and Public Service, which has received good engagement by Departments and State Agencies to date. We hope that this commitment will grow, and that a comprehensive programme of human rights education and training within the civil and public service will be put in place and promoted by the Government."
ENDS/
Notes to Editor
15 voluntary commitments called for by IHRC: see http://www.ihrc.ie/international/upr/voluntarycommit.html
What happens after the UPR examination?
Ireland’s Troika is Bangladesh, Italy and Moldova.
Following the session a report is prepared by the troika with the involvement of Ireland and assistance from the OHCHR. This report, referred to as the "outcome report", provides a summary of the actual discussion. It therefore consists of the questions, comments and recommendations made by States to Ireland, as well as the responses by Ireland.
The outcome report is usually adopted 48 hours after the review. In Ireland’s case, the report will be adopted by the Council on Monday 10th October.
Ireland has the opportunity to make preliminary comments on the recommendations contained in the outcome report, choosing to either accept or reject them. Both accepted and refused recommendations are included in the report.
After the report has been adopted, editorial modifications can be made to the report by States on their own statements, within the following two weeks.
The final report then has to be adopted at a plenary session of the Human Rights Council. In Ireland’s case, this will take place in March 2012.
During this plenary session adopting the report, the State under review can reply to questions and issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the Working Group and respond to recommendations that were raised by States during the review.
Time is also allotted to member and observer States who may wish to express their opinion on the outcome of the review and for the NHRI, NGOs and other stakeholders to make general comments.