LAST UPDATE | 15 Oct
THE COUNCIL OF Europe’s human rights commissioner said he is “alarmed” that single men seeking asylum in Ireland are not offered accommodation and often end up sleeping rough.
Human rights commissioner Michael O’Flaherty visited Ireland last week and said there is “growing hostility” towards asylum seekers and that the government needs to address rough sleeping migrants before the onset of winer.
O’Flaherty added that Ireland need to do more to tackle discrimination, racism and prejudice against Travellers, the Roma people and migrants.
And while the human rights commissioner welcomed progress in policy development, he warned of the “need to translate newly adopted policies into practice”.
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (COE) is the continent’s leading organisation in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
It was established in 1949 in the wake of World War II with the aim of promoting stability and increasing cooperation on the continent and currently has 46 member states.
The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial non-judicial institution established by the COE in 1999.
The Commissioner provides advice and information on the prevention of human rights violations and engages with governments to improve public awareness of human rights standards.
Irishman Michael O’Flaherty was elected to the role in January, where he garnered over 50% of the vote.
‘Hostility’
O’Flaherty visited Ireland from 7-11 October and focused on the human rights of Travellers and Roma people, and on issues related to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
The Commissioner said he was “alarmed” that single men seeking asylum in Ireland are not offered accommodation and often end up sleeping rough.
“I highly appreciate the continued welcome extended by Ireland to Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and people fleeing conflict or persecution elsewhere, and the efforts made to address the long-standing shortages in accommodation,” said O’Flaherty.
“However, there are over 2,800 men currently exposed not only to adverse weather conditions but also growing hostility against them,” he added.
O’Flaherty called on the government to “resolve the situation before the onset of winter”.
The Commissioner also discussed issues related to the recent introduction of increased border security measures and encouraged authorities to ensure they are “conducted in full compliance with their international human rights and refugee protection obligations”.
‘Persistent racism’
Elsewhere, O’Flaherty said the “persistent racism and discrimination against Travellers and Roma in Irish society require sustained attention across government”.
O’Flaherty visited several halting sites in Dublin and Limerick, some of which were without access to electricity, adequate sanitation facilities or plumbing.
“I have great admiration for the resilience in Traveller communities and women’s engagement in bringing about positive change,” said O’Flaherty.
“These efforts led by the community should be supported and empowered.”
The Commissioner also heard from members of the Traveller community and researchers about Travellers’ negative experiences of the justice system, including overpolicing and ethnic profiling.
While O’Flaherty welcomes efforts to improve community support for minority prisoners, he warned that more attention should be paid to “addressing the causes that lead to the overrepresentation of Travellers in prisons”.
The Commissioner pointed to policing practices and the criminalisation of trespassing as some of these causes.
“Concerted efforts are required to ensure that Travellers can have the same trust in the Gardaí as the majority population”, said the Commissioner.
On 8 October, O’Flaherty too part in a ceremony in Limerick dedicated to the memory of Travellers who have died of suicide.
The Commissioner said the high numbers of suicide among Travellers, including children, “should be treated as the crisis that it is”.
He called for the government to develop further measures to address the significant health inequalities affecting Travellers, including mental health issues.
The Commission also expressed concern over the “disproportionate application of reduced timetables for Traveller and Roma children in schools”.
“The right to education is fundamental,” said O’Flaherty.
“Significantly reducing time spent in school thwarts access to equal opportunities throughout life.”
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