The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is the main body for human rights and equality in Ireland.
We work independently of the Government to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 gives us powers to address human rights and equality issues in several ways. This involves everything from engagement to enforcement. It includes giving policy advice, sharing knowledge, and working with civil society. It also means educating people and raising awareness.
Mandates
Since being set up, the Commission has been given a number of additional areas of responsibility. These include mandates in the areas of disability, anti-human trafficking, artificial intelligence, and gender pay reporting.
Independent National Rapporteur on the Trafficking of Human Beings
Our job as Ireland’s Independent National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking is to:
- assess trends in trafficking in human beings;
- measure the results of anti-trafficking actions;
- gather statistics (including in cooperation with relevant civil society organisations); and
- report.
We work with victims and survivors of trafficking who directly inform our work.
Independent Monitoring Mechanism for Ireland under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (‘UNCRPD’)
Our job is to promote, protect, and monitor how Ireland follows the UNCRPD.
We collaborate with disabled individuals and organisations. This ensures that people who have real experience with disability shape our work.
Co-ordinating National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
When the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill passes, we will be the National Preventive Mechanism
We will help to ensure that no one in Ireland faces torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Designated Authority under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act
We have recently been made a Designated Authority under Article 77 of the AI Act.
Our role is to make sure that people’s rights are respected when high-risk AI systems are being used.
Gender Pay Gap Reporting
Some companies have to share reports on pay gaps between male and female workers.
If they don’t publish this report, we can apply to the Circuit Court or High Court for an enforcement order.
Legal Work
Our legal work involves:
- acting as amicus curiae (friend of the court) and third-party intervener
- developing Codes of Practice
- reviewing the practices and policies of organisations to ensure they promote equality
- providing legal advice or assistance in certain cases
- taking cases in our own name
- performing inquiries into serious human rights and equality issues
Equality Reviews
We have the power to ask an organisation to carry out an Equality Review. We also have the power to carry out an Equality Review in relation to an organisation.
Equality Action Plans
We may invite an organisation to develop an Equality Action Plan. We also have the power to prepare an Equality Action Plan for an organisation.
Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty
The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty places a statutory obligation on public bodies to have regard to human rights and equality considerations in the performance of their functions.
We have legal powers to monitor and provide information, guidance and education to public bodies to understand and meet their statutory obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014.
Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme
Every year, we provide grants to bodies to carry out certain activities to promote human rights and equality in Ireland. Each year, we fund projects under a number of themes, directly linked to our strategic priorities.
International Networks
Being part of global human rights and equality networks makes us stronger. We collaborate to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.
Human Rights and Equality on the Island of Ireland
We work with our counterparts in Northern Ireland on issues with an island of Ireland focus. This includes work under Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.
Public Awareness Campaigns
By law, we have a role to create public awareness about human rights and equality issues.
Since 2019, we’ve run “Because we’re all human/Means we’re all equal” campaigns.
They have covered disability, racism, gender, care, and ageism.
Our campaigns feature real people talking about real issues.
