As the EU Migration and Asylum Pact comes into effect on tomorrow, 12 June, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has warned that significant human rights and equality concerns remain.
The Commission remains concern that the International Protection Bill, the legislation that transposes the EU Migration Pact into Irish law, falls short of providing essential safeguards for some of the most vulnerable people seeking international protection.
Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“Fundamental gaps remain in the protection of people seeking asylum. Broad detention powers, concerns around victims of trafficking and restrictions placed on family reunification create real risks of human rights violations for vulnerable applicants.”
The Commission has consistently recommended that detention be used only as a measure of last resort, and that stronger protections be put in place for children, victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups.
While amendments made during the Oireachtas process have strengthened aspects of the legislation, IHREC maintains that the new system still lacks a number of safeguards permitted or required under the EU Pact and risks undermining access to justice and the protection of fundamental rights.