Irish officials to face UN questions on anti-racism efforts

An Irish Government delegation is due to appear before a United Nations committee over the next two days to answer questions about Ireland’s anti-racism efforts.

The meeting was arranged to discuss Ireland’s progress report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which was ratified by the Government five years ago.

The Human Rights Commission and several Irish NGOs have made submissions to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ahead of this week’s gathering.

The submissions express concern about the Government’s attitude to racism and particularly its treatment of the Travelling community and asylum seekers.