Michael Mc Dowell T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will today launch the 2005 Annual Report of the Equality Authority. During 2005 the Equality Authority assisted the CSO in developing a special survey on equality. This found that for the population aged 18 years and over that 12.5% had experienced discrimination within the…
The Human Rights Commission warmly welcomes the initiative of An Garda Síochána and Crimestoppers in highlighting the incidence of human trafficking in Ireland and alerting us to the potential for such abuse to increase. "Trafficking in human beings constitutes one of the most severe violations of human rights in the world today. It has been…
"Wilful blindness on the part of states to the ultimate purpose of extra-ordinary renditions is unacceptable. The focus on this matter must be on the purpose of renditions. Where there is a risk of torture, there shouldn’t be any resort to diplomatic assurances" stated Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at a…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has forwarded to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, its observations and proposals for amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 (Youth Justice) which the Minister referred to the IHRC for its comments. This set of proposals would substantially amend the Children Act 2001. The IHRC has…
Michael Mc Dowell TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, today launched the Strategic Plan of the Equality Authority for 2006 to 2008. The Plan is entitled ‘Embedding Equality’. It defines a mission for the Equality Authority as seeking ‘to achieve positive change in the situation and experience of those groups and individuals experiencing…
A research report on “Equivalence in Promoting Equality – The Implications of the Multi-Party Agreement for the further Development of Equality Measures for Northern Ireland” was launched today in the Equality Authority. The research project is a joint initiative of the Equality Authority and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The research was carried out…
The Equality Authority was today given leave to appear as amicus curiae (friend of the Court) in High Court proceedings being brought by a Traveller family against Ballina Town Council, Mayo County Council, the Commissioner of An Garda Síochana, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the District Justice sitting in Ballina Court and Ireland and the…
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Alvaro Gil-Robles, has supported the position taken by the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on the possible irregular transfer of detainees via Irish airports. In a letter this week to the President of the IHRC, Dr. Maurice Manning, Commissioner Gil-Robles said: "…Given the widespread allegations of…
Mary Harney TD, Tainaiste and Minister for Health and Children, today launched ‘Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 and Provision of Health Services’. This is a joint initiative of the Equality Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. The publication reflects a shared commitment to equality and the further development…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is seriously concerned about reports that US aircraft landing at Shannon airport may be involved in the transport of persons to secret locations where they may be at risk of being subjected to torture, cruel or inhuman treatment. In view of Ireland’s international legal obligation to ensure that no…