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Dr Maurice Manning Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Ireland ‘must fill serious gaps’ in human rights record

The government faces examination by the UN today, amid warnings that the most vulnerable social groups are at risk.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL be examined on its human rights record by the UN today, as campaigners call on ministers to address “serious gaps” in the protection of vulnerable groups.

The Irish Human Rights Commission has said improvements are necessary in Ireland’s legislation on the rights of Travellers, migrants, asylum seekers, women, children, people with disabilities, people in poverty and prisoners. It has called on the government to make commitments in 15 specific areas, but none of these have been forthcoming.

Ireland’s record on cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and upholding equality will be under the microscope today as the government faces its first examination under the UN’s Universal Periodic Review system – a mechanism to examine the human rights records of 192 countries every four years, set up in 2006.

The Irish Human Rights Commission will also sit in on the meetings. Its president Dr Maurice Manning said: “this is a key opportunity for the Government to make positive human rights changes in Ireland. There have been serious gaps in the State’s efforts to date to meet its human rights obligations.”

He continued: “Drastic cuts in resources over the last 3 years to human rights and equality bodies have hampered our efforts to safeguard human rights and to hold the State to account,” adding that it is “vital that this chance is grasped” to fill the gaps and safeguard the vulnerable in society.

Read more: Ireland’s abortion laws under UN spotlight>

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    Mute Ross
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:36 PM

    Complete waste of time, money and resources. Straight into the bin.

    The more I see someones phoney smile on a glossy piece of paper the less likely they are to get a vote from me.

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Nov 18th 2024, 4:21 PM

    I’m sure the voters of Cork and Galway will be livid at not getting their circulars!

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    Mute Tom
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:39 PM

    Who cares, same umadans will will get into government again.

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:44 PM

    @Tom: I used to hate that kind of apathy/ nonchalance—- this particular election I GET it!!!! My constituency is a ’3′seater…. it’ll be 2FF & the 1FG, same as it was in my Father’s time

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:47 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: Yet you have profiles on this site ‘supporting’ FG (Tired Jim) and FF (Fintan Pox).

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:53 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: with respect troll & ALL your accounts I’ve zero idea who’ll be getting my #1, #2 or #3 on the piece of paper 29th Nov!!!! Again, with respect, that’s a very invasive question…. I ‘push’ everyone to use their vote but what happens in the ballot box is like confession

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    Mute Kevvy kerrr
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    Nov 18th 2024, 3:56 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: hey brenny, hard at the ol’ trolling I see ….. You are aware no matter how many accounts you spread your bile on here with …. You ARE only entitled to vote the once????????

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 18th 2024, 4:02 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: genuine question brenny…that film “SPLIT” ?? An autobiography??,?

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