Commission calls for human rights to be central to all policy and legislation development
Dublin Monday 25th June 2007 – This morning at Dublin Castle the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) launched its second strategic plan since the body was established under statute in 2001. This plan, applicable from 2007 up until 2011, marks what is hoped to be one of the many milestones in the history and progression of the Commission.
The launch of today’s strategic plan re-emphasises the IHRC’s responsibility to promote and protect human rights for all and continue to recognise the universal, indivisible and interdependent nature of the rights of the individual. Equal emphasis is therefore placed on the importance of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
Speaking at this morning’s launch, Dr. Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, said: "I am delighted to launch Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in Ireland, our new strategic plan for 2007-2011. The central focus of our second strategic plan is to promote a culture and ethos of respect for human rights in Ireland".
“Economic progress has contributed to increased well-being and a growing diversity of people enriching our society. However not everyone has benefited equally, and the Celtic Tiger has brought with it new human rights challenges as well as entrenching old ones. The Commission will focus on how human rights laws and principles can address inequalities and injustice in our society and promote inclusiveness and respect for diversity," he added.
"This plan has six objectives. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Commission to surpass our expectations, achieving all our goals and developing a genuine culture of human rights in Ireland."
The IHRC objectives for this plan are:
• To promote a culture and ethos of respect for human rights in Irish society
• To promote the centrality of human rights in the formulation and administration of law, public policy and justice
• Work jointly with the NIHRC to Promote Human Rights on the island of Ireland
• To promote a society which values inclusiveness and diversity through respect for human rights
• To assess and anticipate emerging challenges to human rights
• To strengthen the organisational capacity of the IHRC to carry out its mandate
In the context of the newly elected government, Dr Manning went on to say that:
“It is important that all political parties and Oireachtas committees engage in early and structured dialogue with the Commission, and we would ask the Government to look again at a proposal we put to it – that just as all legislation is finance proofed and gender proofed at the outset, it should also be human rights proofed".
He continued: "We also ask, because of the overarching and universal nature of human rights and our remit that we, the Commission, be directly accountable to the Oireachtas rather than simply to one Department. This is an issue we will pursue – and which we believe will be welcomed".
Commissioner Lia Hegarty spoke at the launch about the Commission’s goals to promote a culture and ethos of respect for human rights and the centrality of human rights in the formulation and administration of law, public policy and justice.
"If we are to achieve a culture of human rights, then human rights must be a core consideration in the formulation of law, public policy and justice. Human rights standards should be reflected in the legislative and policy development process at the earliest stage. The Commission is aware that to effectively implement human rights standards requires knowledge and training in the application of such standards, and the Commission is committed to working in partnership to see these standards achieved".
Commissioner O’Hegarty also spoke on Promoting a society which values inclusiveness and diversity through respect for human rights and assessing and anticipating emerging challenges to human rights.
"A culture of human rights is ensuring that people know that human rights belong to everyone, that they know what those rights are and that they are able to realise their rights. Potential challenges to human rights emanate from various sources and the Commission is required to be increasingly vigilant in this regard. Though it is difficult to anticipate the precise nature of issues which could have future human rights implications, the Commission has an important role to play in considering emerging issues," she said.
Commenting on the need for greater inclusion and respect for diversity, Commissioner Suzanne Egan said: "The Commission will work together with organisations and bodies representing diverse communities and minority and ethnic groups and promote the active participation of these groups in pursuing the realisation of their human rights. It will also review progress in key policy strategies such as the National Action Plans on Social Inclusion, the National Action Plan on Women and the National Action Plan against Racism in terms of meeting Ireland’s human rights obligations".
Commissioner Egan also spoke on anticipating emerging human rights challenges and went on to say:
“The ability of the IHRC to ‘trend watch’ is of huge importance in this plan. It is our aim to anticipate and assess developments in the communications, technology, science and engineering sectors which have the potential to impact on people’s security and privacy".
She continued: "While there are new challenges to be identified, there are others, such as human trafficking, which are as old as slavery but which appear in new forms.. The Commission will continue to advise government on law, policy and practice necessary to combat the scourge of trafficking and most importantly to protect the innocent victims who suffer its devastating impacts," she concluded.
ENDS/
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The Irish Human Rights Commission is mandated to promote and protect human rights in Ireland. The Commission had its genesis in the Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) and the requirement for the formation of such a body was also recommended by the Constitution Review Group in 1996. The Good Friday Agreement proposed the establishment of both the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). While the organisations operate to promote and protect human rights in separate jurisdictions, both also collaborate to improve human rights protections on the island of Ireland.