IHREC writes to Ministers ahead of Council of Europe meeting in Chisinau
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has written to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, ahead of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meeting taking place in Chișinău, Moldova, on Thursday and Friday this week.
The meeting is expected to consider and adopt a Political Declaration concerning the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and migration.
In its correspondence, IHREC welcomed the Government’s reaffirmation of Ireland’s longstanding commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, the independence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and the central role of the Council of Europe in upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
However, the Commission also expressed concern that aspects of the proposed Political Declaration, depending on its final content and framing, could risk undermining the authority and independence of the ECtHR or weakening protections for fundamental rights under the Convention system.
Chief Commissioner of IHREC, Liam Herrick, said:
“At a time when the European human rights system faces growing political pressure, it is essential that all Council of Europe member states reaffirm their unequivocal commitment to the independence and authority of the European Court of Human Rights and to the integrity of the Convention system.”
He added:
“Discussions on migration governance must remain firmly grounded in human rights obligations. Any Political Declaration adopted this week should strengthen, rather than weaken, the protections and principles at the heart of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
IHREC noted the significance of the Convention system within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement and highlighted Ireland’s particular responsibility as it prepares for its forthcoming EU Presidency and seeks election to the UN Human Rights Council.
The Commission also referenced a stakeholder dialogue convened by IHREC in April, which brought together legal experts, academics, members of the judiciary and civil society representatives to discuss the Council of Europe process and the proposed Political Declaration.
In its letter, IHREC encouraged the Government to continue engaging constructively in negotiations while ensuring that any final declaration clearly affirms:
- the full independence and authority of the ECtHR;
- the binding nature of the Convention and the Court’s judgments;
- the principle that migration governance must comply fully with human rights obligations; and
- the continued integrity of the Convention system as a cornerstone of the European rules-based order.
The letter is available to read here: https://www.ihrec.ie/publications/letter-to-minister-mcentee-and-minister-ocallaghan-from-ihrec-chief-commissioner