Ireland has ‘serious gaps’ in its human rights protection, according to a new report published today.
The Irish Human Rights Commission published its report to the UN on Ireland's Human Rights Record and called for immediate action.
Ireland will be examined for the first time on its record on all of its human rights obligations under a new UN process called the Universal Periodic Review, in October.
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC said: ‘there have been serious gaps in the State's efforts to date to meet its human rights obligations.
‘Key reforms at constitutional, legislative, policy and service level are required to strengthen human rights in Ireland.
‘It is not acceptable that important human rights treaties that would increase protections for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, migrant workers and people held in detention remain to be ratified.
‘Drastic cuts in resources over the last three years to human rights and equality bodies have hampered their efforts to safeguard human rights and to hold the State to account.’
The report makes over 35 recommendations, including recommendations on the rights of Travellers, migrants and asylum seekers, women, children, people with disabilities, people in poverty and prisoners.
The report also deals with broad legislative and policy areas including health, education, immigration, criminal justice, and social welfare.
