Voluntary Commitments
The Irish Government can make voluntary commitments which address particular human rights issues in advance of its Universal Periodic Review .
15 Steps to Greater Human Rights Protection
The IHRC is calling on the Irish Government to take 15 steps to better human rights protection before Ireland's human rights record is examined under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 6 October 2011. The following commitments could be made by the State in advance of Ireland's UPR.
National Action Plan for Human Rights
1. Introduce by 2012 a National Action Plan for Human Rights to mainstream human rights into Irish law, policy and practice, and to consider introducing a positive duty on public authorities to promote human rights and equality.
Strong Independent Human Rights & Equality Bodies
2. The IHRC is of the view that a stand-alone Human Rights Commission offers the most suitable prospect for human rights protection in Ireland. However, it is also of the view that any merged body must enhance and strengthen Ireland's human rights and equality structures. All of the provisions of the Paris Principles must be met in the legislation and functions of the National Human Rights Institution and it must be ensured that 'A' Status NHRI accreditation is maintained. In particular, the merged body must be independent and be seen to be such. The Commission should also be made accountable to the Oireachtas, and Ireland should ensure a transparent and credible Board appointments process, independent staffing and adequate resources for the proposed body. The IHRC should play a leading role in shaping the proposed body.
Ratification of Key UN Treaties
3. Sign, ratify and implement key United Nations human rights instruments not yet committed to:
a. In particular, ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by the end of 2011 and have a properly resourced national monitoring mechanism in place by 2012 that meets the standards set out in Article 33 of CRPD.
b. In particular, ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (Op-CAT) by the end of 2011 and designate a properly resourced body or bodies as required under Op-CAT that is in compliance with the Paris Principles.
Address Key Education Issues
4. Develop a National Action Plan for Human Rights Education and Training in line with the World Programme on Human Rights Education.
5. Ensure all members of the Civil and Public Service receive human rights education and training and work with the IHRC in this regard.
6. Commit to securing a diversity of school type in all educational catchment areas in the State to reflect the diversity of religious and non-religious convictions now represented in the State, and pending this diversification introduce those safeguards proposed by the IHRC to protect the right to education and the right to freedom of religion, thought and conscience of all children.
Protect the Most Vulnerable in the Economic Crisis
7. Pledge non-retrogression on all economic policies and undertake by the end of 2012 an assessment of the human rights impact of welfare and service related decisions on those who vulnerable and disadvantaged.
8. Pledge to address as a priority housing needs of the most vulnerable in Ireland.
Reform Justice and Penal System
9. Introduce a comprehensive statutory civil legal aid scheme with adequate resources.
10. Develop alternatives to custody for the punishment of minor offences and develop, in consultation with the judiciary, a policy directed towards decreasing the numbers of persons being imprisoned for such offences.
11. Provide adequate sanitary facilities in all prisons, including in cell sanitation to ensure the end of 'slopping out' and take immediate steps to tackle overcrowding in prisons.
Protect Against Racial Discrimination
12. Introduce a comprehensive system for the monitoring of racist incidents.
13. Recognise Travellers as an ethnic minority and provide sufficient resources for the full implementation of Traveller Education and Health Strategies and the provision of culturally appropriate accommodation to all Travellers in line with Government policy.
Asylum System Reform
14. Reform the system of Direct Provision and implement an independent review process for complaints made by people in Direct Provision accommodation.
15. Eliminate the detention of deportees in prisons.