Group urges national plan to improve human rights

THE Irish Human Rights Commission has urged the Government to introduce a national action plan to improve human rights in this country.

Launching their annual report, the IHRC said a plan to mainstream human rights into Irish law, policy and practice should be implemented next year in order to fulfil Ireland’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council.

The commission also called for a reinstatement of its funding, that of the Equality Authority, and other human rights and equality bodies.

In 2010, the IHRC received 464 communications from the general public and organisations relating to a wide range of issues, with a notable increase in economic and social rights queries such as housing, health and social welfare.

IHRC president Maurice Manning said in the context of the economic crisis, public policy decisions should be human-rights-proofed to ensure that people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged are protected.

Dr Manning said reform of the justice, penal, and asylum systems is required urgently.

“We are seeking a comprehensive statutory civil legal aid scheme, alternatives to custody for the punishment of minor offences and an end to overcrowding and ‘slopping out’, as well as an urgent review and changes to be made in the direct provision system for asylum seekers.”

Calling on the Government to deal with gaps in human rights protection, Dr Manning said Ireland’s human rights record will be placed under the spotlight in a political and global context through the UN Universal Periodic Review.

“In advance of the review, the Government still has an opportunity to make positive changes in policy and practice, or at least to give firm indications that change is imminent in these areas.

“We are calling on the Government to make voluntary commitments to improve human rights in Ireland.”

Some of the IHRC’s work in 2010 included a major report in March into services for people with a severe intellectual disability in a residential, day care and respite centre in Co Galway.

The report called for systemic reforms to protect the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.

IHRC chief executive Eamonn Mac Aodha said while some progress has been made, a number of systemic issues have not been addressed.

“Chief among these is the re-framing of service agreements between the state and the private charities which run these centres to ensure that services are based on need and are of the highest quality,” he said.

“It is also vital that independent oversight by the Health Information and Quality Authority of all care homes is assured without delay.”

The IHRC has also called for a statutory inquiry into the Magdalene Laundries, reinforced by the UN Committee Against Torture.