THE GOVERNMENT has told the United Nations of its “deep attachment to fundamental rights” in a report on its domestic human rights’ record that will be scrutinised at a UN public hearing on October 6th.
The report is the first published by the State under the UN’s universal periodic review process and will play a role in supporting the State’s application to join the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ireland is competing with four other countries – Sweden, the US, Germany and Greece – to be elected on to the council which helps develop UN policies on international human rights violations.
The Government submitted its 23-page report on its domestic human rights record to the UN yesterday. It covers a range of issues such as its treatment of minority groups such as Travellers, its delivery of health services and education, its equality agencies promoting human rights and its network of different ombudsman offices.