Questions in Geneva from Irish human rights group

An umbrella group representing 17 Irish groups is in Geneva highlighting human rights issues here.

The Your Rights, Right Now coalition is appearing ahead of Ireland’s record being examined by the UN Human Rights Council in May.

The specific issues raised at the event today included access to abortion, housing, the rights of people with disabilities and the failure to recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic minority.

Speaking ahead of the event in Geneva, deputy director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties Deirdre Duffy said that the review was a chance for the incoming government to outline its plans to tackle ongoing human rights issues here.

“This human rights review at the highest political stage within the UN human rights system presents an opportunity for the incoming government to outline tangible plans on specific issues of concern for Irish people.

“Today UN diplomats will have the opportunity to hear from Irish civil society groups on a range of matters including, lack of access to abortion healthcare in Ireland, failure to ratify important international instruments on disability and ill-treatment, the absence of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority and the ongoing failure to address the right to adequate housing in a clear and timely manner.”

Members of the coalition provided updates on how Ireland is fulfilling its Universal Periodical Review commitments made during the first review examination in 2011.

Ms Duffy called on the Government to deliver “a concrete and timely plan” to show its commitment to human rights.

“The new cabinet will have its feet under the table by the time Ireland is due before the UN Human Rights Council and we will be interested to hear what the Irish State informs the UN regarding its protection of the most vulnerable in the wake of the economic crisis, which was a commitment made four years ago,” she said.