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International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of Ireland Submission to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee 21 March 2014 UN Human Rights Council a legacy for ireland? Yr Rs. R N

International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights … Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of Ireland Submission to the Seanad Public Consultation

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Page 1: International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights … Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of Ireland Submission to the Seanad Public Consultation

International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of IrelandSubmission to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee21 March 2014

UN Human Rights Councila legacy for ireland?Y�r R��s. R�� N�

Page 2: International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights … Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of Ireland Submission to the Seanad Public Consultation
Page 3: International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights … Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Fourth Periodic Examination of Ireland Submission to the Seanad Public Consultation

   

International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights  (ICCPR)  Fourth  Periodic  Examination  of  Ireland    

       

Submission  to  the    

 Seanad  Public  Consultation  Committee          

21  March  2014  

This submission has been prepared by the ICCL and submitted on behalf of the following civil society organisations, who are members of the UN Human Rights Council Legacy Steering Group: Gay and Lesbian Equality Network; Irish Traveller Movement, Inclusion Ireland, Transgender Equality Network Ireland, Irish Family Planning Association, Free Legal Advice Centres, Immigrant Council of Ireland and Age Action. All of the views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the policies and positions of each endorsing organisation.

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Introduction  The  Irish  Council  for  Civil  Liberties  (ICCL)  is  Ireland’s  independent  human  rights  watchdog  which  monitors,  educates  and  campaigns  for  the  respect  and  protection  of  human  rights  in  Ireland.  The  ICCL  welcomes  the  opportunity   to   contribute   to   the   Seanad   Consultation   Committee’s   (SCC)   consideration   of   Ireland’s  international  human  rights  obligations   regarding   Ireland’s  upcoming  Fourth  Periodic  Examination  under  the  International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights  (ICCPR)  in  July  2014.1      

HRC  Legacy  Project  Recognising   the   importance   of   Ireland’s   role   as   a   member   of   the   UN   Human   Rights   Council,   the   ICCL  launched  its  UN  Human  Rights  Council  Legacy  project  in  2013.  Implementation  of  UN  recommendations  at   home   is   key   to   a   country’s   capacity   to   promote   and   protect   human   rights   abroad   and   thus,   we  welcome  the  Seanad’s  engagement  with  the  ICCPR  process.  The  Legacy  project  is  tracking  the  progress  of  seven   key   impact   areas   (ratification   of   the   International   Convention   on   the   Rights   of   Persons   with  Disabilities  (ICPRD),  ratification  of  the  Optional  Protocol  to  the  UN  Convention  Against  Torture  (OPCAT),  creation  of  an  effective  National  Human  Rights  Institution  (NHRI),  marriage  equality,  gender  recognition,  reproductive  justice  and  recognition  of  Travellers  as  an  ethnic  minority)  throughout  the  term  of  Ireland’s  membership  of  the  Council.    

Civil  Society  Coalition  Following  the  submission  of  the  State’s  Fourth  Periodic  Report  in  2012,  the  ICCL  brought  together  a  broad  coalition  of   civil   society  organisations   to  provide  updated   information  on   Ireland’s  human  rights   record  under  ICCPR.2  In  September  2013,  the  Steering  Group3    oversaw  the  production  of  a  detailed  Stakeholder  Report   on   the   List   of   Issues   to   the   UN   Human   Rights   Committee   (hereinafter   the   ‘Committee’)   for  consideration  in  advance  of  the  compilation  of  the  draft  list  of  issues  on  Ireland.  An  ICCL  representative  travelled  to  Geneva  to  formally  brief  the  Committee  in  October  2013  in  advance  of  the  compilation  of  the  draft   List   of   Issues.   In   November   2013,   the   Committee   published   the   List   of   Issues   on   Ireland   for  consideration  during   the  111th   Session  of   the  Human  Rights   Committee   in   July   2014.   The   List   of   Issues  broadly  reflects  the  concerns  which  arose   in  the  stakeholder  report  and  subsequent  briefing.     In  March  2014,  Ireland  published  its  response  to  the  List  of  Issues  thereby  fulfilling  its  reporting  obligations  to  the  Committee  well  in  advance  of  the  oral  hearing  in  July.  A  complete  analysis  of  the  State’s  response  to  the  List  of  Issues  is  currently  being  prepared  by  the  Steering  Group  in  advance  of  Ireland’s  appearance  before  the  Committee  in  July  2014.      

Ireland’s  Human  Rights  Record  under  ICCPR  Following  on  from  Ireland’s  Third  Examination  under  ICCPR  by  the  Committee  in  2008,  the  ICCL  is  pleased  to  note  the  pace  of  legislative  and  policy  reform  in  relation  to  certain  civil  and  political  rights  in  Ireland,  including   the   enactment   of     the   Protection   of   Life   during   Pregnancy  Act   2013   and   the   Criminal   Justice  (Female   Genital   Mutilation)   Act   2012;   the   formal   State   apology   and   subsequent   establishment   of   a  scheme  of  redress  for  the  women  detained  in  Magdalene  Laundries;  the  outcome  of  the  referendum  on  the  rights  of  children,  certain  reforms  of  the  Irish  penal  system  including  plans  to  end  the  inhuman  and  degrading  practices  regarding  in  cell  sanitation,  the  enactment  of  the  Civil  Partnership  and  Certain  Rights  

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and  Obligations  of  Cohabitants  Act  2010  and  the  establishment  of  the  Convention  on  the  Constitution  to  address  areas  of  Constitutional  reform  including  in  relation  to  blasphemy,  the  role  of  women  and  equality  for  same  sex  couples.        Notwithstanding   these  developments,   it   is   regrettable   that   there  has  been   little  or   no  movement  on   a  number  of  areas  of  concern  including,  inter  alia,  broadening  Ireland’s  restrictive  laws  on  abortion  to  meet  its   obligations   under   the   Covenant,   the   enactment   of   the   proposed   Immigration,   Residence   and  Protection   Bill,   progress   on   the   recognition   of   Travellers   as   an   ethnic   group   and   strengthening   the  independence  of  Ireland’s  Garda  Síochána  (Police)  Ombudsman.      

A.  Constitutional  and  legal  framework  within  which  the  Covenant  is  implemented  (Article  2)  

Human  Rights  and  Equality  Infrastructure  Ireland’s  statutory  human  rights  and  equality  infrastructure  experienced  significant  budgetary  cuts  during  the  period  2008-­‐2013,  although  additional  resources  have  recently  been  made  available  to  facilitate  the  merger   of   the   Irish   Human   Rights   Commission   and   the   Equality   Authority.   Following   on   from   the  appointment   of   members   Designate   of   the   new   Irish   Human   Rights   and   Equality   Commission,   on   21  March  2014,   the   Irish  Human  Rights  and  Commission  Bill   2014  was  published.  Proposals   to   restructure  five   employment   rights   and   quasi   judicial   bodies,   including   the   Equality   Tribunal,   into   the   Workplace  Relations  Commission  are  also  at  an  advanced  stage.      When   considering   Ireland’s   obligations   arising   under   Art   2   of   the   Covenant,     the   SCC   should   consider  whether  and  how  the  changes  under  the  IHREC  Bill  2014  to  the  equality  and  human  rights  infrastructure  in   Ireland   will   produce   a   more   coherent   and   effective   institutional   framework   for   the   protection   and  promotion  of  human   rights,  whether   and  how   the  new   IHREC  will   comply  with   international   standards  (the  Paris  Principles)  and  conditions  for  accreditation  as  an  A  status  national  Human  Rights  Institution  by  the  International  Coordinating  Committee,  and  finally,  whether  and  how  existing  levels  of  service  can  be  improved  and  maintained  including  in  relation  to  staffing  and  resources.      The  SCC  should  also  consider  how  the  new  planned  two-­‐tier  Workplace  Relations  Commission  will  impact  on  cases  taken  under  the  State’s  equality  legislation  and  in  particular  on  the  number  of  cases  initiated  and  decided     under   the   Equal   Status   Acts   2000-­‐2011  which   have   seen   a   significant   decline   since   structural  reform  of  the  Equality  Tribunal  was  announced.    

Police  Complaints  Mechanisms  –  Garda  Síochána  Ombudsman  Commission  In  a  2013  Report  on  Ireland,  the  UN  Special  Rapporteur  on  human  rights  defenders,  expressed  concern  at  the   “serious   constraints”   faced  by  GSOC,   including   financial   and   resource   limitations,   and   the   reported  limited  public  awareness  of  its  activities  and  responsibilities.4  Previously,  GSOC  has  proposed  to  increase  the  “leaseback”  procedure  of  certain  complaints  for  investigation  by  the  Garda  Síochána.  In  its  Concluding  Observations   on   Ireland’s   Third   Periodic   Report,   the   Committee   expressed   its   regret   regarding   “the  backlog  of  cases  before   the  Garda  Síochána  Ombudsman  Commission  and   the  ensuing   reassignment  of  

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the  investigation  of  a  number  of  complaints  involving  the  potentially  criminal  conduct  of  Gardaí  (police)  to  the  Garda  Commissioner”.5      Recent  developments   in  relation  to  GSOC  has  raised  concerns  regarding  the  ability  of  GSOC  to  function  effectively   as   an   independent   police   ombudsman,   the   nature   and   quality   of   its   relations   with   the  Department  of  Justice  including  at  Ministerial  level  and  the  nature  and  quality  of  its  relationship  with  An  Garda  Siochána,   including  at   the   level  of  Garda  Commissioner.6  Following   the   recent  emergence  of   the  report,   commissioned   by   GSOC   in   2013,   which   revealed   its   concerns   at   potential   surveillance   of   its  premises  by  An  Garda  Siochána,  the  public  perception  of  the  agency  and  its  effectiveness  has  likely  been  damaged.  While   an   independent   review  of   the   circumstances   surrounding   the  potential   surveillance  of  GSOC   has   been   established,   it   has   not   been   established   under   the   provisions   of   the   Commissions   of  Investigation  Act  2004  and  appears  to  fall  short  of  a  full  independent  inquiry,  including  with  the  power  to  compel   witness,   which   would   be   required   to   restore   public   confidence   in   the   independence   and  effectiveness  of  the  Ombudsman.7      Following   further   damaging   revelations   into   practices  within   An   Garda   Siochána   regarding   the   penalty  points   allocation   system,   whistleblowers   and   the   role   of   the   Confidential   Recipient   in   2014,   the  Oireachtas  Committee  on  Justice,  Defence  and  Equality  announced  that   it  would  undertake  a  review  of  the   effectiveness   of   the   legislation   relating   to   oversight   of   An   Garda   Siochána.   The   Committee   will  consider   the   effectiveness   of   the   provisions   of   the   Garda   Síochána   Act   2005   and   regulations   made  thereunder,   insofar   as   they   relate   to   the   oversight   of   An   Garda   Síochána,   including,   in   particular,   the  powers  and   remit  of   the  Garda  Síochána  Ombudsman  Commission.8  The   review  will   take  place   in  April  2014  and  is  inviting  submissions  from  the  public.      

B.  Non-­‐discrimination,  right  to  an  effective  remedy  and  equal  rights  for  men  and  women,  including  political  participation  (Art  2,  para.1,  3,  16  and  26)  

Constitutional  Provision  on  Role  of  Women  In  its  Concluding  Observations  on  Ireland’s  Third  Periodic  Report  (2008)  the  Committee  called  on  Ireland  to   implement   significant   reform   in   relation   to  Art  41.2  of   the  Constitution  on   the  “role  of  women”.9   In  2013,  the  Convention  on  the  Constitution  voted  overwhelmingly  to  amend  the  clause   in  Art  41.2  of  the  Constitution  and  to  replace  it  with  a  more  holistic,  inclusive  provision  on  care.10    The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   to   the  Government   that   it   indicate   a   specific   timeframe   for   a  referendum   to   amend  Article   41.2   in   light   of   previous   recommendations   from   the   Committee   and   the  Convention  on   the  Constitution.   The  SCC   should  also   consider   recommending   reform  of  Article  41.2   to  ensure  a  more  holistic  provision  including  in  relation  to  care  work  in  the  home.  

Assisted  Decision  Making  (Capacity)  Legislation  and  Ratification  of  ICRPD  Ireland  has  yet   to   ratify   the   International  Covenant  of   the  Rights  of  Persons  with  a  Disability   (ICPRD).11  Barriers  impeding  the  ratification  of  the  Convention  include  issues  relating  to  mental   legal  capacity.  The  publication   of   the   Assisted   Decision-­‐Making   (Capacity)   Bill   2013   is   a   welcome   development   which,  

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following  enactment  should  provide  an  improved  legal  framework  for  supporting  people  to  exercise  their  legal  capacity  and  thus  remove  the  final  obstacle  to  ratification  of  the  ICRPD.      The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   that   the   Government   produce   a   detailed   timetable   for  ratification  of  the  CRPD  and  provide  details  of  any  remaining  administrative  and  legislative  impediments  to   ratification   not   covered   under   the   Assisted   Decision   Making   (Capacity)   Bill   2013.   The   Government  should  also  publish  the  Work  Programme  of  the  high-­‐level  Interdepartmental  Committee  on  the  UNCRPD  and   the   independent   assessment   of   the   remaining   requirements   for   ratification   (undertaken   by   the  National  Disability  Authority).   In  addition,  the  Government  should  produce  details  of  when  it   intends  to  commence   in   full   the   legislative   components   of   the   National   Disability   Strategy   2004   and   details   on  progress  in  reviewing  Ireland’s  existing  mental  health  legislation.12      

C.  Domestic,  sexual  and  gender  based  violence  (Arts  3,  7,  23,  24  and  26)  

Magdalene  Laundries  The  Committee  has  asked  the  State  to  provide  details  of  when  it  intends  to  establish  a  prompt,  thorough  and   independent   investigation   into   the   abuse   perpetrated   in   the  Magdalene   Laundries.   This   follows   a  similar   recommendation   from   the   UN   Committee   against   Torture   (UNCAT)   in   its   2011   Concluding  Observations  on  Ireland13  and  from  the  Special  Rapporteur  for  Follow-­‐up  on  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UNCAT14  who  indicated  the  McAleese  inquiry  “lacked  many  elements  of  a  prompt,  independent  and  thorough   investigation”.   In   its   response   to   the  List  of   Issues,   Ireland  has   stated   that   the   findings  of   the  Report  of  the  Inter-­‐Departmental  Committee  to  establish  the  facts  of  State  involvement  in  the  Magdalene  Laundries  found  no  factual  evidence  to  support  torture  or  ill-­‐treatment  of  a  criminal  nature,  no  evidence  of   systematic   unlawful   detention   and   no   evidence   of   women   kept   for   long   periods   against   their   will.  However,   information   including   testimony   from   survivors   and   staff   regarding   instances   of   similar  maltreatment  was  received  by  the  Inter-­‐Departmental  Committee  prior  to  publishing  its  report.15      In   addition,   the   findings   of   the   report   have   formed   the   basis   of   the   redress   scheme   arising   from   the  Magdalene   Commission   Report   by   Mr   Justice   Quirke.     The   scheme   does   not   include   individualized  compensation   for   the   impact   of   human   rights   violations   as   recommended   by   the   Irish   Human   Rights  Commission  nor  does  it  take  account  of   information  relating  to  the  aforementioned  testimony  of  abuse  excluded  from  the  McAleese  report.16  According  to  the  response  to  the  List  of  Issues,  the  State  does  not  propose  to  establish  a  specific  Magdalene  inquiry  or  investigation.17      The  SCC  should  consider  recommending  that  the  Government  put   in  place  an  individualised  assessment  scheme  for  Magdalene  survivors  and  establish  a  specific  Magdalene  Inquiry  with  all  necessary  powers.    

Migrant  Victims  of  Domestic  Violence  In   relation   to   the   protection   of   migrant   women   who   have   become   victims   of   domestic   violence,   two  specific  issues  require  urgent  consideration:  1.)  The  provision  of  formal  recognition  of  domestic  violence  in  immigration  law  by  making  provisions  which  enable  dependent  family  members  to  apply  to  remain  in  Ireland   as   victims   of   domestic   violence;   and   2.)   guaranteeing   access   to   safe   emergency   housing   and  

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essential   services,   including   welfare   benefits   to   meet   the   basic   needs   of   victims   who   have   pending  applications  for  permission  to  remain  in  Ireland  on  an  independent  basis.      

D.  Women’s  reproductive  rights  (Arts  6,  7,  17,  26)    

Laws  Governing  Access  to  Abortion  in  Ireland  The   enactment   of   the   Protection   of   Life   during   Pregnancy   Act   2013   is   to   be  welcomed.   However,   it   is  regrettable  that  guidance  to  assist  health  professionals  has  not  yet  been  produced,  leading  to  a  significant  delay   in   implementing   the  Act.   Legislation   governing  women’s   reproductive   rights   remains   significantly  short   of   meeting   international   human   rights   standards.18   For   example,   the   Irish   legal   framework  continues   to   place   an   absolute   prohibition   on   abortion  where   the   health   of   the  woman   is   at   risk.   The  procedure   under   existing   legislation   to   determine   whether   or   not   a   woman   is   suicidal   (permissible  grounds   for   a   termination   under   the   legislation)   is   lengthy   and   requires   pregnant   women   to   undergo  multiple  medical  and  psychiatric  assessments.19  No  provision  has  been  made  to  access  a  termination   in  cases  of  rape  or  incest  where  a  woman’s  life  is  not  considered  to  be  at  risk.20  In  addition,  no  provision  is  made  to  access  a  lawful  termination  in  cases  of  fatal  foetal  abnormality.    The  SCC   should   consider   recommending   significant   reform   in   relation   to   reproductive   rights   to   remove  burdensome  barriers   to  accessing   lawful   terminations  and   to  provide   for   terminations   in  cases  of   rape,  incest  or  fatal  foetal  abnormality.        

E.  The  right  to  freedom  from  slavery  (Art  8):  human  trafficking    Regarding  child  victims  of  trafficking,  there   is  a  need  for  standardised,  clear  statistical  data   including  on  HSE  referrals  for  children.  Furthermore,  the  Optional  Protocol  on  Sale  of  Children,  Child  Prostitution  and  Child  Pornography  which  Ireland  has  signed,  must  be  ratified  as  soon  as  possible.  Under  current  Administrative  Immigration  Arrangements,21  asylum  seeking  victims  of  trafficking  have  less  access   to   safe  and  appropriate  accommodation,  education,   training,   employment  and   the  possibility  of  acquiring  longer-­‐term  status  in  the  State.      The   SCC   should   recommend   that   Ireland   provide   details   on   how   it   intends   to   ensure   that   victims   of  trafficking  who  have  sought  asylum  are  granted  comparable  protections  in  the  context  of  administrative  arrangements  to  those  who  have  not  sought  asylum.22  The  Government  should  also  put  in  place  adequate  data  collection  regimes  and  proceed  immediately  to  ratify  the  Optional  Protocol  on  Sale  of  Children,  Child  Prostitution  and  Child  Pornography.        

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F.  Right  to  liberty  and  security  of  the  person,  prohibition  of  torture  and  other  cruel,  inhuman  or  degrading  treatment  or  punishment  and  treatment  of  persons  deprived  of  their  liberty  and  fair  trial    

Right  of  Suspects  to  Contact  Counsel  before  Interrogation  Ireland   continues   to   allow   inferences   to   be   drawn   from   the   silence   of   a   suspect   or   accused  person.   In  2008,   the   Committee   recommended   that   Ireland   should   also   “give   full   effect   to   the   rights   of   criminal  suspects   to   contact   counsel   before,   and   to   have   counsel   present   during,   interrogation”.   23   The   recent  decision  of   the   Supreme  Court   that   suspects  must   be   afforded   the  opportunity   to   avail   of   legal   advice  before  questioning  is  to  be  welcomed.24    The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   that   Ireland   fulfill   its   human   rights   obligations   concerning   the  rights  of  suspects  by  legislating  to  permit  access  to  a  lawyer  before  and  during  police  questioning.      

Treatment  of  Persons  in  Detention  Despite   recent  progress  on   reforming   the  penal   infrastructure   in   Ireland,   a   lack  of   effective   complaints  and   monitoring   mechanisms,   issues   of   overcrowding,   the   continued   lack   of   in-­‐cell   sanitation   in   many  prisons   leading   to   practices   such   as   ‘slopping   out’   and   the   use   of   prisons   for   immigration   detention  purposes  remain.25    The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   that   the   Government   provide   a   firm   commitment,   including  relevant   details   and   a   timeframe   for   delivery,   to   ensure   prisons   no   longer   operate   over   capacity,   to  immediately  end  the  practice  of  “slopping  out”,  to  provide  for  the  establishment  of  an  independent,  fully-­‐functioning  and  comprehensive  prisoner  complaints  mechanism  and  to  ensure  that  prisoners  and  persons  in   immigration   related   detention   are   kept   separate   from   persons   suspected   or   convicted   of   criminal  offences.      There  is  a  growing  population  of  older  prisoners,  with  reported  increases  in  this  group  from  199  people  in  2007  to  335   in  2012.26  As  people  get  older  they  are  more   likely  to  be  at  risk  of  co-­‐morbidity  and  multi-­‐morbidity   with   its   associated   higher   risk   of   disability27   and   mental   health   problems28     which   are   no  different   for   someone  who   is   living   in   the   community  or   in  prison.  However,   a  person’s   ability   to  have  these  needs  addressed  in  a  timely  and  accessible  way  may  be  hampered  in  a  prison  environment.        

G.  Right  to  be  recognised  as  a  person  before  the  law  (Art  16)  

Gender  Recognition  The  publication  of   the  General  Scheme  of   the  Gender  Recognition  Bill  2013   is  a  welcome  development  including  the  recent  announcement  that  the  age  of  recognition  will  be  lowered  from  the  original  proposal  of  18  to  16  years  of  age.29  However,  concern  remains  that  provisions  of  the  proposed  legislation  do  not  meet  international  human  rights  standards  because  the  right  to  be  legally  recognised  in  one’s  preferred  gender  remains  contingent  on  the  dissolution  of  an  existing  marriage.      

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The  SCC  should  consider  recommending  that  the  current  draft   legislation  be  amended  to  guarantee  the  rights  of  married  Trans  persons  to  legally  acquire  their  preferred  gender  without  recourse  to  dissolution  of  marriage.        

H.  Immigrants,  refugees  and  asylum  seekers  

Immigration  The  Government  has  yet  to  publish  proposed  legislation  governing  immigration,  residence  and  protection  matters  for  migrants,  despite  the  introduction  and  withdrawal  of  previous  draft  legislation  (first  published  in  2007)  and  recommendations  from  the  Committee  to  enact  legislation.30  In  addition,  there  has  been  no  indication   regarding  any  plans   to  establish  an   independent  appeals  mechanism   for   immigration   related  decisions,   not   falling   within   the   remit   of   the   Refugee   Appeals   Tribunal,   despite   previous  recommendations  from  the  Committee  and  a  commitment  in  the  current  Programme  for  Government.31      

Asylum  /  Subsidiary  Protection    Ireland   is   the   only   EU  Member   State   that   has   not   adopted   a   single   procedure   “to   examine   all   of   the  protection  needs  of  an  asylum  seeker  at  the  same  time”.32  Delays  remains  in  the  processing  of  claims  for  asylum  and  subsidiary  protection  with  many  applicants  continuing  to  spend  lengthy  periods  in  receipt  of  direct  provision  accommodation  and  barred   from  seeking  employment  while   they  await  an  outcome  of  their  application.33  No  independent  system  is  currently   in  place  to  deal  with  complaints  arising   in  direct  provision.      The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   that   the   Immigration,   Residence   and   Protection   Bill   be  introduced  forthwith  and  should   include  provisions  establishing  an   independent  appeals  mechanism  for  immigration-­‐related   decisions,   a   single   procedure   for   asylum   claims   and   an   independent   complaints  system  for  complainants  who  are  living  in  direct  provision.        

I.  Rights  of  persons  belonging  to  minorities  

Rights  of  Travellers  In  a  number  of  recent  reports  under  the  UN  treaty  monitoring  system,  including  in  relation  to  ICCPR  and  UPR,   Ireland   has   stated   that   recognition   of   Travellers   as   an   ethnic   group   would   be   given   “serious  consideration”.34   Hearings   have   been   held   by   the   Joint   Oireachtas   Committee   on   Justice,   Equality   and  Defence  to  consider  submissions  by  stakeholder  groups  and  it  is  expected  that  the  Committee  will  report  to  the  Minister  shortly.      The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   that   Traveller   ethnicity   be   recognised   in   law   without   further  delay.   In   addition,   recommendations   should   be   made   on   a   number   of   pressing   issues   in   relation   to  Traveller   and   Roma   integration   including   in   relation   to   inequalities   in   health   and   mortality   rates,  

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inequalities   in   access   to   education,   equitable   access   to   justice,   disproportionately   high   unemployment  and  lack  of  provision  for  culturally  appropriate  accommodation.35  

Racism  and  Integration  of  Migrants  Ireland   requires   an   integration   strategy   that   moves   beyond   ‘Integration   a   Two-­‐Way   Process’   (1999),36  NAPAR   (2005)37   and   ‘Migration   Nation’   (2008).38   The   SCC   should   consider   recommending   concrete  actions,   such   as   setting   up   an   anti-­‐racism   helpline   similar   to   the   one   provided   by   the   PSNI39   and  amendments   to   the   Incitement   to   Hatred   Act   1989,   which   does   not   adequately   address   the  matter   of  ‘racially  motivated’  offences.  

Discrimation  against  LGBT  Persons  Section   37(1)   of   the   Employment   Equality   Act   permits   a   religious   institution   to   lawfully   discriminate  against  an  employee  or  prospective  employee  in  order  to  uphold  the  religious  “ethos”  of  the  institution.  The   Equality   Authority   is   currently   undertaking   a   review   of   the   operation   on   section   37(1).40   The   SCC  should   recommend   that,   at   a   minimum,   Section   37(1)   should   be   repealed   to   prohibit   discrimination  against  persons   in   relation   to  one  or  more  of   the  nine  grounds   covered  under   the   legislation   including  sexual  orientation,  gender,  family  status  and  civil  status  on  the  grounds  of  upholding  a  religious  ethos.  It  should   be   replaced   by   new   wording   that   complies   with   Article   4   of   the   European   Union   Framework  Directive  establishing  a  general   framework  for  equal  treatment   in  employment  and  occupation  (Council  Directive  2000/78/EC  of  27  November  2000).                                                    

References  

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1 This  submission  has  been  prepared  by  the  ICCL  and  submitted  on  behalf  of    the  following  civil  society  organisations,  who  are  members  of  the  UN  Human  Rights  Council  Legacy  Steering  Group:  Gay  and  Lesbian  Equality  Network;  Irish  Traveller  Movement,  Inclusion  Ireland,  Transgender  Equality  Network  Ireland,  Irish  Family  Planning  Association,  Free  Legal  Advice  Centres,  Immigrant  Council  of  Ireland  and  Age  Action.  All  of  the  views  expressed  in  the  report  do  not  necessarily  reflect  the  policies  and  positions  of  each  endorsing  organisation.    2  In  2008,  the  ICCL  in  collaboration  with  the  Free  Legal  Advice  Centres  (FLAC)  and  the  Irish  Penal  Reform  Trust  (IPRT)  produced  a  detailed  shadow  report  and  led  a  highly  regarded  delegation  of  Irish  civil  society  organisations  to  successfully  lobby  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee  in  Geneva  during  Ireland’s  Third  Periodic  Examination  under  ICCPR.  3  Members  of  the  steering  group  included  representatives  from  the  Gay  and  Lesbian  Equality  Network  (GLEN),  Transgender  Equality  Network  Ireland  (TENI),  Terminations  of  Medical  Reasons  (TFMR)  group,  Educate  Together,  the  Immigrant  Council  of  Ireland  (ICI),  the  Irish  Family  Planning  Association  (IFPA),  Inclusion  Ireland,  Free  Legal  Advice  Centres  (FLAC)  and  the  Irish  Traveller  Movement.  The  group  has  since  expanded  to  become  the  UNHRC  Legacy  Project    Steering  Group.    4   Report   of   the   Special   Rapporteur   on   the   situation   of   human   rights   defenders,   Margaret   Sekaggya,   (26  February  2013),  Mission  to  Ireland  (19  –  23  November  2012),  A/HRC/22/47/Add.3.    5  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  (30  July  2008),  UN  Doc  CCPR/C/IRL/CO/3  6  Independent  inquiry  into  GSOC  spying  allegations  needed  now  says  rights  watchdog,  available  at:  http://www.iccl.ie/news/2014/02/16/independent-­‐inquiry-­‐into-­‐gsoc-­‐spying-­‐allegations-­‐needed-­‐now-­‐says-­‐rights-­‐watchdog.html  7  Retired  High  Court  Judge  John  Cooke  Appointed  to  GSOC  Inquiry,  available  at:  http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2014/02/retired-­‐high-­‐court-­‐judge-­‐john-­‐cooke-­‐appointed-­‐to-­‐gsoc-­‐inquiry/  8  Committee  on  Justice,  Defence  and  Equality  invite  submissions  on  the  effectiveness  of  the  legislation  relating  to  oversight  of  An  Garda  Síochána,  available  at:  http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/jde-­‐committee/submissionsreviewofgardasiochanaact2005/  9  Fourth  Periodic  Report  of  Ireland  under  the  International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights  (ICCPR),  (25  July  2012),  UN  Doc  CCPR/C/IRL/4,  para  38  10  Convention  on  the  Constitution,  Vote  on  Amending  the  Clause  on  the  Role  of  Women  in  the  Home  (art.  41.2),  available  at:  https://www.constitution.ie/AttachmentDownload.ashx?mid=cee1b183-­‐0b79-­‐e211-­‐a5a0-­‐005056a32ee4  11  Fourth  Periodic  Report  of  Ireland  under  the  International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights  (ICCPR),  (25  July  2012),  op  cit,  para  38  12  Mental  Health  Act  2001,  available  at  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/act/pub/0025/print.html    13  Committee  against  Torture,  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UN  Committee  against  Torture,  op  cit  para  21  14  Rapporteur  for  Follow-­‐up  on  Concluding  Observations  Committee  against  Torture,  (22  May  2013),  available  at  http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/followup/IrelandFurtherInfo22May2013.pdf  15  Response  of  Ireland  to  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee  List  of  Issues,  25  February  2014,  p.9  16  Irish  Human  Rights  Commission,  (18  June  2013),  Follow-­‐up  Report  on  State  Involvement  with  Magdalene  Laundries,  available  at  http://www.ihrc.ie/download/pdf/20130618164449.pdf  17  Response  of  Ireland  to  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee  List  of  Issues,  op  cit,  p.9  18  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  op  cit,  para  13;  UN  Committee  for  the  Elimination  of  Discrimination  against  Women,  (22  July  2005),  Concluding  Observations  of  the  Committee  on  the  Elimination  of  Discrimination  against  Women,    UN  Doc  CEDAW/C/IRL/CO/4-­‐5,  para  38  and  39  19  Sections  9-­‐14  Protection  of  Life  During  pregnancy  Act  2013  20  Seanad  Éireann  Debate  (15  July  2013),  Protection  of  Life  During  Pregnancy  Bill  2013:  Second  Stage,  available  at  

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http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad2013071500022.  21http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Administrative%20Immigration%20Arrangements%20for%20the%20Protecton%20of%20Victims%20of%20Human%20Trafficking%20-­‐%20March%202011.pdf/Files/Administrative%20Immigration%20Arrangements%20for%20the%20Protection%20of%20Victims%20of%20Human%20Trafficking%20-­‐%20March%202011.pdf  22  http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/images/stories/pdfs/UN_Gift_report__18.11.2011.pdf.    23  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  op  cit,  para  14.  24  Irish  Council  for  Civil  Liberties,  Supreme  Court  sends  Government  clear  message  on  fair  trial  reforms,  Press  Release  available  at:  http://www.iccl.ie/news/2014/03/06/supreme-­‐court-­‐sends-­‐government-­‐clear-­‐message-­‐on-­‐fair-­‐trial-­‐reforms.html  25  Human  Rights  Council,  Report  of  the  Working  Group  on  the  Universal  Periodic  Review  –  Ireland,  2011  A/HRC/19/9  26  See:  http://www.iprt.ie/contents/2462.    27  The  most  frequently  reported  disability  type  for  older  people  is  mobility  and  dexterity  with  70%  of  those  65-­‐74  years  and  83%  of  those  75+  years  reporting  this  type  of  disability  (Murphy,  2012).  28  European  Health  and  Life  Expectancy  Information  System  EHLEIS  (2013)  EHLEIS  country  report:  life    expectancy  in  Ireland.  Issue  6,  April  2013  29  Proposal  would  bring  transgender  recognition  at  16,  available  at:  http://www.teni.ie/news-­‐post.aspx?contentid=1025  30  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  Concluding  Observations  of  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  op  cit,  para  19.  31  Minister  for  Justice  and  Equality,  Written  Response  to  Parliamentary  Question  919  16  April  2013,  Available  at:http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2013-­‐04-­‐16a.2162&s=%22no+plans+to+change+those+legislative+provisions+to+give+either+Office+%22#g2164.r.  32  UNHCR  Ireland  Statement  on  need  for  introduction  of  single  procedure  14  February,  2011.    Available  at:    

 http://www.unhcr.ie/news/irish-­‐story/unhcr-­‐ireland-­‐statement-­‐on-­‐need-­‐for-­‐introduction-­‐of-­‐single-­‐procedure  33  Irish  Times,  Treatment  of  asylum  seekers  may  be  ‘our  next  national  scandal’,  warns  Ombudsman.  Available  at    http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-­‐affairs/treatment-­‐of-­‐asylum-­‐seekers-­‐may-­‐be-­‐our-­‐next-­‐national-­‐scandal-­‐warns-­‐ombudsman-­‐1.1458049  34  Ireland’s  Fourth  Periodic  Report  under  ICCPR  to  the  UN  Human  Rights  Committee,  op  cit,  para  795  35  European  Commission  against  Racism  and  Intolerance  ECRI  Report  on  Ireland,  Fourth  Monitoring  Cycle,  19  February  2013,    CRI(2013)1,  Available  at:        http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/Country-­‐by-­‐country/Ireland/IRL-­‐CbC-­‐IV-­‐2013-­‐001-­‐ENG.pdf  and  Our  Geels’-­‐  All  Ireland  Traveller  Health  Study,  2009,  available  at  http://www.dohc.ie/publications/aiths2010/TR1/AITHS2010_TechnicalReport1_LR_All.pdf?direct=1  36  http://www.integration.ie/website/omi/omiwebv6.nsf/page/AXBN-­‐7WMK3Z1533318-­‐en/$File/INTEGRATION%20-­‐%20A%20Two%20Way%20Process.pdf  .  37  http://www.nccri.ie/pdf/ActionPlan.pdf.    38  http://www.nccri.ie/pdf/ActionPlan.pdf.    39  http://www.psni.police.uk/hate_crime_leaflet_-­‐_racist1.pdf.    40  Section  37  Employment  Equality  Act  1998,  available  at:    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/act/pub/0021/print.html  as  amended  by  Section  25  of  the  Equality  Act  2004  available  at  http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/act/pub/0024/print.html  

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