What we do
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) works to promote and protect human rights in Ireland in a number of different ways:
- Promoting awareness about human rights
- Promoting and providing human rights education and training
- Recommending to Government how human rights standards should be reflected in Irish legislation, policy and practice
- Promoting debate around human rights issues as part of the legislative process
- Appearing before the High Court and Supreme Court as amicus curiae, 'friend of the court', to assist the courts with the interpretation of human rights standards in specific cases.
- Carrying out enquiries into human rights concerns
- Publishing and promoting research and reports on human rights
The IHRC plays an active role internationally. We are recognised by the United Nations (UN) as Ireland's National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). We chair the European Group of NHRIs who work strategically to advance human rights across Europe. The IHRC is also a member of the Bureau of the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs, which comprises over 65 NHRIs from around the world.