Ireland 'committed to human rights council'

More than 300 activists were today told Ireland remains committed to supporting a new human rights council.

Minister of State for Development and Human Rights Conor Lenihan underlined the state’s commitment to supporting the council and the UN’s global human rights machinery.

Ireland has this year contributed €3.3m to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Minister Lenihan pledged the island will continue to offer strong support to the office.

“Ireland will follow the Council’s work closely and will offer whatever practical support we can,” he said. “We are optimistic that the Council can conduct its business in a positive atmosphere. However, it must also be able to confront the reality of human rights abuses around the world.”

It is the eighth year the annual event has been hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The theme for this year’s forum at Croke Park was Global Human Rights Protection – the way forward.

Immigration was also a key issue at the event, with keynote addresses given by BBC correspondent Fergal Keane, Erika Feller, Assistant UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and a range of guest speakers.