Commission publishes UN Sustainable Development Goal recommendations to minimise economic inequality and maximise human rights
Today the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) published our parallel report to the 2023 UN High-Level Political Forum as part of the second Voluntary National Review (VNR) process:
Ireland and the Sustainable Development Goals.
We welcomed the State’s invitation to contribute to Ireland’s second VNR, particularly given the high level of convergence between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and human rights frameworks.
As parallel reports by National Human Rights Institutions (‘NHRIs’) cannot be independently submitted to the UN for formal consideration as part of the Voluntary National Review process, the independent observations of the Commission are included as a separate chapter in the State VNR report. As the A-status NHRI for Ireland, we demonstrate the highest standards with regard to independence in the context of our mandate, functions, use of resources, and international engagement. Our participation in this VNR process has ensured full protection of our independence, in line with SDG 16 and the UN Paris Principles, and we welcome that Ireland has adopted an open drafting approach.
While the Governments progress report on the implementation of the 17 UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), highlights some of the actions the State needs to take to ensure a sustainable future, we stress that this future must be firmly anchored in human rights and equality standards.
As Ireland takes on a leadership role in the upcoming
2023 SDG Summit, it is essential the State reaffirms its commitment to accelerating action on the SDGs, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing housing, climate and cost-of-living crises. Tackling economic inequality, both in Ireland and elsewhere, is central to the 2030 Agenda and a defining issue of our time.
In our recommendations, we set out measures that should be taken to ensure the most vulnerable individuals and communities in our society are not left behind, as we transition towards a low carbon country. Reducing this economic gap is crucial for social cohesion, social inclusion and improving the quality of life for those experiencing or at risk of poverty.
Continued increases in child poverty and homelessness necessitate a solid commitment from the State to adequately resource the new child poverty and well-being programme office, and to revise the wholly inadequate targets contained within the
Housing for All plan.
We also ask that the Government reconsiders the methodology used for its living wage calculation to ensure that it includes the active participation of rights-holders and fully incorporates the impact of the current housing costs, rising prices and inflation.
Chief Commissioner Sinéad Gibney said:
“Despite the fact that we are a wealthy country, economic inequality remains greater in Ireland, in terms of wage or salary, than in other high-income West European countries, including the UK. We need to bridge that gap and ensure every person earns a living wage and every child is adequately cared for in a secure and appropriate home.
As we collectively accelerate the transition to a cleaner, healthier world, we need to protect those who are adversely affected by it, particularly people who are already disadvantaged and least able to cope with the changes that must be made.”
Recommendations include:
On poverty and the living wage
- That the State ensures the Child Poverty Unit has a dedicated budget line, transparent targets and deliverables, and sufficient staff resources, and fully implements the 2023 Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. (SDGs 1, 5)
- That the State revises the targets contained within Housing for All during its upcoming review in 2023 to ensure the Plan reflects updated population and homelessness data and the ongoing housing crisis, and includes necessary sanctions for any continued failure to deliver sufficient social and affordable housing. (SDG 11)
- That the State reconsiders the methodology used for its living wage calculation to ensure that it includes the active participation of rights-holders and is calibrated to existing social norms, evolving requirements and living costs. (SDGs 1, 10)
- That the State expedites the timeline for implementing the living wage, and takes active measures to address concerns regarding increased costs to employers. (SDGs 1, 10)
- That the State ensures that any exemptions to paying the living wage are strict, limited and exceptional, and take account of international human rights obligations. (SDGs 1, 10)
On Climate Action
- That the State fully assesses the impact of climate change on human rights and equality in Ireland, with a particular focus on structurally vulnerable groups.
- That the State actively considers and implements the final recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, including through Constitutional reform to expressly protect substantive environmental rights.
- That the State acts on the best scientific evidence available to mobilise the maximum available resources to prevent all current and foreseeable human rights harms caused by climate change, including by meeting all national, European Union and international targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- That the State strengthens Ireland’s adaptive capacity and resilience to climate-related disasters, including by introducing climate change vulnerability assessments, with a focus on economic and geographic vulnerability, in the adaptation planning process.
- That the State takes active measures to increase allocation to climate financing and official development assistance in line with its requirements under Agenda 2030, taking into account Ireland’s financial capacity and emissions record. (SDGs 12, 13, 17)
IHREC’s full Submission to the 2023 UN High-Level Political Forum on the second Voluntary National Review of Ireland is available at…
Ireland and the Sustainable Development Goals (PDF Version)
Ireland and the Sustainable Development Goals(Doc Version)
ENDS/
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Clarkin, IHREC Communications Manager,
01 852 9641 / 087 468 7760
sarah.clarkin@ihrec.ie
Follow us on twitter @_IHREC
Editors note:
As NHRI reports cannot be independently submitted to the UN in order to be formally considered as part of the HLPF, our observations are included as a separate chapter in the State VNR report. As an A status NHRI, we demonstrate the highest standards with regard to independence in the context of our mandate, functions, use of resources, and international engagement. Our participation in this VNR process has ensured full protection of our independence, in line with SDG 16 and the UN Paris Principles, and we welcome that Ireland has adopted an open drafting approach.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission:
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an independent public body, appointed by the President and directly accountable to the Oireachtas. The Commission has a statutory remit set out under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act (2014) to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland, and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognised as such by the United Nations. The Commission is also Ireland’s national equality body for the purpose of a range of EU anti-discrimination measures
