The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the Law Society of Ireland is today putting the spotlight on Ireland’s human rights record and the implications of Ireland’s first examination under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The purpose of the conference is to discuss the practical steps that need to be taken by the Government to address gaps in human rights protection.
This is the 9th Annual Human Rights Conference organised by the IHRC and the Law Society of Ireland and it will take place at the President’s Hall, Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. Anastasia Crickley, Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will give the keynote address.
Mr Kevin O’Higgins, Vice President of the Law Society of Ireland said "The Law Society, through its annual conferences, encourages its members to consider the gaps in human rights protection in Ireland and to discuss possible recommendations for reform. Events like this give us all the chance to talk about human rights, to listen to a number of different viewpoints, and to consult with each other on these important issues."
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said "the Universal Periodic Review was a major event for Ireland. It is a historic analysis of Ireland’s human rights record by its peers, the other Member States of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The recommendations emanating from the Hearing provide a checklist for what needs to be put right. The Irish Human Rights Commission will be closely monitoring Ireland’s implementation of these recommendations. We are also ready to provide our expertise to the framing of solutions to these human rights problems."
Dr Manning continued "the purpose of this conference is to discuss the practical steps that need to be taken by Ireland to meet the gaps in human rights protections identified by the UN Human Rights Council. The Conference will focus on women’s rights, the rights of Travellers, the rights of people with disabilities, human rights and poverty and human rights in prisons and places of detention."
In his opening address, Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC, highlighted several issues requiring urgent action by Government. Mr Mac Aodha said "On gender, action is long overdue to address under representation of women in public life. On disability it is unclear why it has taken over 4 years to bring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into force in Ireland. We should be leaders rather than followers in relation to this landmark international convention."
Mr Mac Aodha continued "Ireland has been taken to task for conditions in some of our prisons. We welcome the commitment by Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and look forward to receiving this legislation for review and comment as there is an urgent need for enhanced and comprehensive independent oversight of the detention system in Ireland."
"On the levels of inequality faced by the Traveller community, Mr Mac Aodha said the Commission supports the UPR recommendations that stronger measures to improve the education and health outcomes of the Traveller community be put in place without delay."
Mr Mac Aodha concluded "these are just some of the key issues which will need to be addressed in the coming period if we are to shine internationally in terms of our domestic human rights record."
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Fidelma Joyce, Irish Human Rights Commission
Tel: 01 8589601 Mob: 087 783 4939
Notes to Editor
– The conference will take place from 10am to 2.20pm at the Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 2.
– Speeches will be available at the conference
– The conference programme is available at www.ihrc.ie