The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) welcomed the findings of a report published today in Vienna by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). The report calls for the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions (NHRI), such as the IHRC, in each EU Member State to ensure consistency in the independent monitoring and protection of human rights across the EU.
THE EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s key recommendations include:
- All EU Member States should have NHRIs that have the independence, powers and mandate to protect the full spectrum of human rights;
- NHRIs must have the structures and funding to operate effectively to promote and protect human rights irrespective of political leanings of successive governments;
- NHRIs must be authoritative human rights bodies, visible to the public and transparent in their processes;
- A comprehensive approach to human rights is needed at national level with a visible and effective overarching NHRI as a hub to ensure that gaps are covered and all human rights are given due attention;
NHRIs should be supported to work effectively together at the European level and internationally to monitor, promote and protect human rights.
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said "I strongly welcome the report published by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency today which recommends that EU Member States work to establish and strengthen national human rights institutions such as the IHRC. The report highlights the increasingly important role which NHRIs will have to play at this level with the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights and conferral of legally binding status on the Charter of Fundamental Rights."
Dr Manning continued "This report by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) clearly demonstrates the need for all EU Member States to have a strong and effective national human rights institution. NHRIs have a vital role to play in ensuring that the rights of everyone are promoted and protected. This report endorses the view that bodies such as the IHRC should not be disproportionately targeted in times of economic difficulty. More than ever NHRIs should have the resources to be visible and effective in promoting and protecting human rights. "
Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC stated "The report highlights the important role NHRIs play in promoting and protecting human rights at the national level, including through awareness and education, monitoring compliance with international standards, conducting research, taking cases or acting as amicus before the courts. It is also further evidence of the international recognition of NHRIs such as the IHRC. We are recognised and supported by the United Nations, and the Council of Europe. This report further emphasises the increasing role which the IHRC and other NHRIs can play in the European Union context."
A spokesperson is available for comment.
ENDS/
For further information please contact
Fidelma Joyce
Irish Human Rights Commission
Mobile: 087 783 4939
Notes to the Editor
The EU Fundamental Rights Agency provides the relevant institutions and authorities of the European Community and its Member States when implementing Community law with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights.
The Agency focuses on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU and its 27 Member States. Candidate Countries and countries which have concluded a stabilisation and association agreement with the EU can be invited to participate following a special procedure. http://fra.europa.eu
The FRA is tasked with cooperating with, inter alia, "governmental organisations and public bodies competent the field of fundamental rights in the Member States, including national human rights institutions".
The Irish Human Rights Commission, as Ireland’s National Human Rights Institution, and chair of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions, regularly engages with the FRA in its work.