Press Release – For immediate release Friday 20 April 2012 Ireland’s independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has indicated that “tough new criteria” will be applied to determine whether the new Human Ri...

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD faced calls to be a “true champion” for victims’ rights at a high-level conference hosted by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) in Dublin Castle today (Thursday, 12 April 2012).

The Minister gave the opening address at the event, ‘The EU Directive on Victims’ Rights: Opportunities and Challenges for Ireland’ which brought victims’ groups from across Ireland together with Europe’s top victims’ rights experts.

The ICCL conference was held in parallel to discussions in Brussels this week on a proposed new EU Directive to establish minimum legal standards on the rights, support and protection of the human rights of victims of crime.

Introducing the Minister, ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

“Alan Shatter has a strong track record of supporting the human rights of the victims of crime during his time in opposition, including by bringing forward two private members bills on victims’ rights.  The Irish Council for Civil Liberties also welcomes his recent Ministerial announcement that Ireland will “opt in” to the new EU Directive on Victims’ Rights.”

“Some of the Minister’s predecessors have claimed that victims’ rights can only be advanced by watering down fair trial protections, a claim which victims’ organisations know to be untrue.  By contrast, if Ireland plays a full part in discussions on the new EU Directive on Victims’ Rights and commits to fully translate the Directive into Irish law and practice, Minister Shatter will have proved that he is a true champion of the human rights of crime victims” Mr Kelly concluded.

ENDS

Press Release – For immediate release  Thursday 12 April 2012 Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter TD faced calls to be a “true champion” for victims’ rights at a high-level conference hosted by the Irish Council for ...

The ICCL is delighted today to launch Know Your Rights: Your Rights as a Prisoner.

This is the fourth pack in the Know Your Rights series. Produced with the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), it aims to help you to understand the rights you have while you are in prison.

The pack can be viewed and downloaded HERE.

 

EU Directive on Victims’ Rights: Opportunities and Challenges for Ireland

9.30am - 2.30pm, Thursday 12 April 2012
Dublin Castle Conference Centre

How will the upcoming draft EU Directive on the rights of victims of crime change the position of the victim within Irish law, policy and practice?

On 12 April 2012, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) will host a major European conference on victims’ rights. This event will be of interest to victims of crime, victim support organisations, legislators, academics, media and politicians.

The ICCL is delighted to announce that
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD will open the conference.

Leading experts from Europe and Ireland will address this one day conference dedicated to the advancement of victims’ rights from a human rights perspective.

Demand for places is expected to be high and you are invited to pre-register for the event.
To secure a place, please e-mail  Sinéad Skelly at sinead.skelly@iccl.ie
or telephone 01 799 4504.

If you have any special requirements (e.g. sign language interpreter), please mention this in your RSVP and we would be happy to accommodate you.

Rights Groups say Government Must Act on UN Pledge Press release – for immediate release – Dublin and Geneva, Thursday, 15 March 2012 Your Rights, Right Now, a coalition of 17 civil society organisations, has called upon the Government to act o...

Ireland’s Rights Record under UN Spotlight Press release – Dublin and Geneva, Thursday, 15 March 2012 Ireland’s human rights record will come under intense scrutiny at the United Nations in Geneva today (15 March 2012) for the second time in ...

Press Release – For immediate release

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Ireland’s independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has welcomed the announcement that draft proposals for the constitutional convention will be published shortly. However, the Council has stressed that the Government should consult widely on the proposed “architecture” of the convention.

ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

“Changing the constitution should never be done lightly, so it is essential that there be proper consultation about the makeup of the new constitutional convention. Consultation on the nature and composition of the constitutional review body should be participative, informed, accessible and open.  Any perception that arrangements for the convention are being cooked up between political parties behind closed doors could undermine the public trust towards politicians which will be needed if future constitutional referenda are to succeed.”

ENDS

Press Release – For immediate release Wednesday 22 February 2012 Ireland’s independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has welcomed the announcement that draft proposals for the constitutional convention will b...

Press Release – For immediate release Thursday 12 January 2012 Ireland’s independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has criticised the “lax” provisions on home defence that have been signed into law by Min...