Council of Europe Human Rights Body told of urgent need to counter hate and extremist movements
In a submission to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (‘ECRI’), the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’), today highlighted a frightening and persistent rise in intolerant attitudes towards immigrants, Travellers, Roma and transgender people throughout Ireland. These attitudes are increasingly permeating the public domain through harassment, protests, arson attacks, and hate speech, on and offline. The Commissions’ engagement is in connection with ECRI’s 6th Monitoring Cycle. In the submission, the Commission highlighted how the growth of far-right ideology, leading to events like the Dublin riots, has been facilitated by systemic gaps in the protection against racism and intolerance in Ireland. An escalation of anti-immigrant rhetoric has been mirrored by similar activity targeting LGBTI+ communities. These movements should also be considered in the context of persistent and overt racism and discrimination against Travellers, Roma and people of African descent. In the absence of adequate regulation, online misinformation and disinformation driven by far-right groups has steadily increased in recent years. In addition, the most recent statistics published by An Garda Síochána show there has been a 12% increase in hate crime and hate related incidents reported in Ireland between 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 has failed to progress in the Seanad since June 2023. Specifically in our submission, we pointed out how countering hateful narratives and misinformation is especially vital in times of political uncertainty. With upcoming general and presidential elections in Ireland, this is especially relevant. We have seen many countries in Europe and further afield succumb to populism, racism, and an increasingly narrow and inward-looking vision of statehood, sovereignty, and national belonging. Commission Director Deirdre Malone said:
“The exploitation by far-right organisers of social issues such as the housing crisis, or the accommodation of people seeking international protection in Ireland, is unacceptable and needs to be tackled with every tool at our disposal. The State needs to put its human rights obligations into practice by tackling hate speech, hate crime, and political misinformation and disinformation. Education and public awareness are essential tools in the struggle against hatred and intolerance. Media institutions and journalists have a particular responsibility in how they frame narratives involving international and temporary protection applicants and ethnic minorities.”
Other recommendations include: On racism, discrimination and intolerance:
- That the State updates school and community education curricula, creates public awareness campaigns and introduces ethical reporting guidelines through Coimisiún na Meán to proactively address biases which can lead to hatred and intolerance.
- That the State develops and implements an action plan to prevent the spread of hate and intolerance in election campaigns, which recognises the role of the Electoral Commission, Coimisiún na Meán, the Standards in Public Office Commission, mainstream political parties, digital platforms and community development organisations.
On hate speech and hate motivated violence:
- That the State redoubles its efforts to progress the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, including by addressing our outstanding concerns through amendments, and ensures alignment with legislative and regulatory measures on online harmful content.
On effective equality and access to rights:
- That Irish equality law is amended to prohibit discrimination based on socio-economic status and intersectional discrimination as a matter of priority.
- That the State prioritises the publication, promotion and implementation of the forthcoming National Equality Data Strategy, including through the adequate resourcing of Government Departments and public bodies to deliver on its strategic approach and actions.
On LGBTI+ equality and health:
- That the State adopts policy, legislative and data collection measures to monitor and effectively combat discrimination and intolerance against LGBTI+ people, promote equality, and ensure access to effective legal remedies.
- That the State includes priority targets and indicators on improving the mental health of LGBTI+ people across all relevant national equality and health strategies, accompanied by investment in specifically tailored, accessible, affordable and quality community mental health services.
- That the State develops and adequately resources rights-based, evidence-based gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children, young people and adults as a matter of urgency.
On integration and inclusion:
- that immigration legislation introduced by the State, including as part of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, does not reduce procedural safeguards, expand the use of immigration detention or otherwise erode human rights protections for international and temporary protection applicants.
The full submission can be accessed at: Ireland and the 6th Monitoring Cycle of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance ENDS/ For further information, please contact: Sarah Clarkin IHREC Communications Manager, 01 8592641 / 087 4687760 sarah.clarkin@ihrec.ie Follow us on twitter @_IHREC
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.