The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC), at its October Plenary meeting warmly welcomed the announcement by President of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso, that he intends to create a Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Civil Liberties within the European Commission which will include citizens’ and minority rights "as a reflection that the EU is…
The Irish HumaN Rights Commission (IHRC), today, called on Parliamentarians in Britain and Ireland to ensure that the commitment made in the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement to create Human Rights Commissions in Ireland and Northern Ireland was upheld through the guarantee of sufficient resources for both Commissions and through closer engagement between the Oireachtas and the…
The State’s equality infrastructure, the Equality Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, jointly launched a series of initiatives today to mark the 10th anniversary of the introduction of new Irish equality legislation in employment and goods and services in Dublin Castle. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, Chairperson of the…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) was today granted leave to appear before the Supreme Court as an amicus curiae or ‘friend of the court’ in a case which raises important issues about the extent to which aspects of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 respects human rights principles. The proceedings entitled J.B. v The…
Conditions in Irish Prisons are a breach of human rights law IHRC calls for immediate action on Inspector of Prisons’ recommendations The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today highlighted the appalling conditions in many Irish Prisons in a submission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The IHRC provided information to the UN Human Rights…
The Equality Authority Annual Report for 2008 is being formally launched today (Thursday 24th September), in the Equality Authority by John Moloney T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Disability and Mental Health. Commenting on the report the Chairperson of the Authority, Angela Kerins stated:“This report highlights the important work undertaken by the…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today urged the Government to sign a new United Nations Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) because it offers greater protection for people’s economic, social and cultural rights. The Protocol opens for signature on 24 September 2009, at the UN in New…
‘Students with learning disabilities completing their educational cycle on a par with all other students to be reviewed’. Equal Status Acts 2000 – 2008 Disability – Access to Education Successful decision Mrs Kn (on behalf of her son Mr Kn), Mrs Kh (on behalf of her son Mr Kh), Mr Kr (on behalf of his…
New Research Assesses the Size and Nature of the Gender Wage Gap in Ireland in 2003 The Equality Authority and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) have launched a report on “The Gender Wage Gap in Ireland: Evidence from the National Employment Survey 2003”. The gap between men’s and women’s pay has been a…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today warmly welcomed the recently published Standards for the Inspection of Prisons by the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly. Dr. Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said "the Inspector has based his standards on international human rights treaties and norms which set down best practice for the treatment…