A report to the UN, assessing Ireland’s performance on combatting discrimination against women, has set out that the State has not done enough to discharge its human rights obligations to investigate the situation of women and children who were institutionalised in Magdalene Laundries and those subjected to symphysiotomy. The report also sets out that the…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to new Minister for Justice and Equality, Helen McEntee TD to voice its ongoing concerns for the safety and well-being of people in the Direct Provision system around COVID-19. In the wake of recent COVID-19 clusters affecting some centres, the Commission has asked the Minister to…
Court Rules that RSA Regulations Block All Asylum Seekers from Getting Driving Licence Dublin Circuit Court has today ruled that a single mother living in a rural Direct Provision centre, is legally blocked from accessing a learner driver permit by the RSA’s current driving licence regulations. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’),…
Commission and ESRI Publish First-of-its-Kind Study in Ireland New research published today reveals the gap between what people say in public about their attitudes to minorities in Ireland, and what they say when afforded anonymity. The study challenges previous assumptions about people’s views, and has implications for policy approaches to foster interculturalism The new study…
Commission Exercised Amicus Curiae Role in Supreme Court Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the “Commission”) has welcomed today’s Supreme Court judgment in a case which clarifies marriage and family rights. In its judgment in MKFS v. the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Supreme Court has overturned a previous High Court ruling, which found…
Commission Members Address Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the Commission) has today set out to Oireachtas Members that unless law, practice, and policy underpinning the rights of people with disabilities is made more resilient, we will continue to see people with disabilities facing their rights being undermined…
Significant legal successes against discriminatory advertising and disability discrimination in employment. 31 Equality Reviews on Traveller accommodation issued to each City and County Council in the State. 2,165 concerns raised by public to the Commission – disability discrimination the highest area of contact with almost a third of all equality related concerns. Brexit-focused Joint Committee…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the Government’s recommendation of Ms. Sunniva McDonagh SC to be proposed for appointment to serve on the Commission. Ms. McDonagh joins seven other proposed Commission Members, who have been recommended by Government for appointment. The announcement comes after an open and transparent competition…
Written Observations to Minister for Health Set Out Recommendations The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has recommended a review of the Department of Health’s guidance framework on prioritisation in access to critical care in the context of COVID-19. The Commission made this recommendation in a written submission to the Minister for Health, to ensure…
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Race Equality Directive, under which EU Member States, including Ireland, committed to implementing a legal framework to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination in policy and practice. Yet, in 2020, young people in Ireland, people of different ethnicities and backgrounds, including Travellers and Roma, people of African descent, migrants…