The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“the Commission”) has today welcomed An Taoiseach’s historic backing for the recognition of Traveller ethnicity by the State, but has warned that delays must not creep into the process.
The reported statement from An Taoiseach comes just a day after the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks’ raised the issue of Traveller ethnicity with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in his face to face meeting, as part of his country monitoring of Ireland.
Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission with Nils Muižnieks the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Emily Logan, who also addressed the Oireachtas Justice and Equality Committee on Traveller ethnicity in October, alongside Commission Member David Joyce stated:
“This support from An Taoiseach is historic, offering our indigenous Traveller community the recognition which has been long sought, and once made real will put Ireland back in step with Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU partners in recognising the ethnicity of Travellers as our own indigenous community.
“The logic of the Irish State’s ongoing refusal to recognise Traveller ethnicity was questioned only this week by the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner in our meeting with him, but has also been consistently challenged by UN bodies.
“Cross-party support for recognition of Traveller ethnicity was confirmed in the Oireachtas report on this issue from 2014, now we must ensure cross party support combined with the Taoiseach’s personal commitment sees Travellers given the recognition the community deserves.
“These words from An Taoiseach, show that in this centenary year of equality, that this State is now moving to recognise the ethnicity of our own indigenous community, and shows Ireland’s determination in protecting and respecting human rights and equality.”
ENDS/
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Notes to editor:
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) was set up on 1 November 2014 as an independent public body to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding across Irish society.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 sets out the functions of the Commission, i.e. to ensure that:
- there is respect for, and protection of, everyone’s human rights;
- there is respect for the dignity and worth of each person;
- a person’s ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice, discrimination, or neglect;
- everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to take part in the economic, political, social or cultural life of the State; and
- people respect each other, respect equality and human rights, and understand the value of diversity within society
The IHREC 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.