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Human Rights
Monitoring Human Rights
The ICCL plays a watchdog role by tracking the Government’s compliance with its obligations under human rights law and by ensuring that Ireland is held to account before international human rights bodies.
We regularly prepare legal analyses of proposed legislation or conduct original research on pressing issues to educate the public and decision-makers on gaps in human rights protection.
We also co-ordinate or contribute to NGO ‘shadow reports’ which are relied upon by human rights bodies to get an independent illustration of Ireland’s compliance with its human rights obligations.
In some instances, the ICCL makes presentations directly to the United Nations (UN) and Council of Europe (COE) human rights bodies in order to inform their final conclusions on Ireland. The ICCL’s most recent activities on this front took us to Geneva where we and our NGO partners briefed the UN on Ireland’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Some of our Current Special Projects and Campaigns:
Bringing Human Rights to Life
The ICCL works to improve the capacity of groups representing marginalised communities, in particular to support them to use human rights tools.
For example, the ICCL is working with Amnesty International (Irish Section) on a ‘shadow reporting’ kit to enhance the capacity of organisations to report to international treaty bodies.
Raising Awareness of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is the regional human rights treaty of the Council of Europe. Ireland is one of 46 countries which have signed up to the ECHR and it was recently given further effect in Irish law through the ECHR Act 2003. The ICCL promotes awareness of this Act through its policy and research work, by delivering training on human rights proofing and producing information material on the ECHR.
Calling for Robust Privacy Standards
The ICCL campaigns to safeguard the right to private life in Ireland in accordance with Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Current laws protect some aspects of privacy but neglect others. The ICCL is conducting ongoing research on the gaps present in Ireland’s privacy regime.
We are also actively calling for the introduction of better safeguards of privacy in Ireland in the areas of data protection, surveillance and biometric identity. Most recently the ICCL campaigned at the 2008 Electric Picnic in Stradbally Co Laois, collecting over 3000 signatures for an open letter to Minister for Justice, calling for the introduction of robust laws for the protection of our privacy.
The Future of Human Rights: Global Techniques Securing Local Impact
- Article
- December 14, 2011
Our end-of year event, The Future of Human Rights: Global Techniques Securing Local Impact, took place on Friday, 16 December 2011 in the Westbury Hotel, Grafton Street, Dublin
To view the full programme for the event please click HERE
You can view video footage of the conference below
ICCL Conference Part One Anthony Romero Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union
ICCL Conference_Part One_Anthony Romero_Executive Director_ACLU from Stephen O'Hare on Vimeo.
ICCL Conference - Hagai El-Ad of ACRI and Deirdre Duffy of ICCL
ICCL Conference_Part Two_Hagai El-Ad_ACRI_Deirdre Duffy_ICCL from Stephen O'Hare on Vimeo.
ICCL Conference Hagai El-Ad of ACRI and Deirdre Duffy of ICCL (Part 2)
ICCL Conference_Part Two(b)_Hagai El-Ad_ACRI_Deirdre Duffy_ICCL from Stephen O'Hare on Vimeo.
ICCL Conference Keynote - Hossam Bahgat of Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
ICCL Conference_Part 3_Hossam Bahgat_Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights from Stephen O'Hare on Vimeo.
Applications now open for the 2012 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards
- Article
- December 8, 2011
The ICCL is delighted to mark Human Right Week by open applications for the 2012 ICCL Human Rights Film Awards, marking the competition's fourth year as Ireland's only human rights short film competition.
Over the past three years, the competition has produced shortlisted films of outstanding quality which cast light on a range of human rights issues in new and creative ways.
The 2012 competition will also continue to widen its reach to younger people in second-level education through the Human Rights in Under a Minute Challenge, which will launch in January 2012, and through the Human Rights Films in Schools Project).
The competition deadline is 16 April 2012, and full details of how to apply are available on the competition website - www.humanrightsfilmawards.org.
ICCL marks Human Rights Week with launch of 2012 Human Rights Film Awards
- News Item
- December 8, 2011
NO Campaign welcomes “clear rejection” of “Abbeylara” amendment
- Article
- October 29, 2011
Irish Council for Civil Liberties 'NO to the 30th Amendment campaign'
Press release For immediate release
Saturday, 29 October 2011
www.kangaroocourts.net
The campaign for a NO vote in the 30th amendment to the Constitution (Oireachtas Inquiries) has welcomed the people’s clear rejection of the Government’s referendum proposals.
When the final result of 53.3% NO to 46.7% YES is compared to polls conducted at the outset of the NO campaign led by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), this represents a swing from YES to NO votes of some 31.8 % (see note to editor for details of this calculation).
ICCL and NO Campaign Director Mr Mark Kelly said:
“This result confirms that a clear majority of the people were not convinced that the Government’s proposals struck the right balance between the public interest and the rights of persons called before Oireachtas Committees.”
"We look forward to participating fully in consultations on the shape of a future Constitutional amendment that will strengthen the powers of Oireachtas Committees, while protecting the human rights of those who appear before them” Mr Kelly concluded.
Diary Note: Carthy family solicitor and former Ombudsman outline concerns about ‘Abbeylara’ amendment
- News Item
- October 24, 2011
ICCL Association Launches NO Campaign on Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum - www.kangaroocourts.net
- Article
- October 20, 2011
Our Kangaroo campaigners launch the 'No to the 30th Amendment' referendum mobile Billboards outside Leinster House on 24 October 2011. Billboards will be covering more than 1200 miles in the coming days in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork.
Mary O'Rourke with campaign supporters at the launch on 21 October 2011 of the ICCL's 'No to the 30th Amendment' campaign.
Next Thursday, 27 October 2011, the people will be asked to vote on the 30th Amendment to the Constitution, which will grant more power to Oireachtas Committees.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties Association believes that these proposals are rushed and ill-considered, and do not strike the right balance between the public interest and individual rights.
Tomorrow, 21 October 2011, together with a number of high profile academics and political figures the ICCL Association will launch the 'NO' campaign against the 30th amendment to the Constitution.
When?
Date: Friday, 21st October 2011
Time: 12.30pm -2.30pm
Where?
Grafton Suite 1, The Westbury Hotel, Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Who?
Speakers will include:
• Mark Kelly, Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties
• Catherine Murphy TD
• Senator Ronán Mullen
• Mary O’Rourke, former TD, Senator and Oireachtas Committee Chair
• Professor Gerry Whyte, Trinity College Dublin, Constitutional Law expert
• Oisín Quinn SC
• Donncha O’Connell, National University of Ireland Galway
More details on: http://www.facebook.com/IrishCouncilforCivilLiberties
ICCL Submission to the European Court of Human Rights re ABC V Ireland, September 2011
- Publication
- September 22, 2011
In December 2011 the European Court of Human Rights delivered its verdict in the case of ABC v Ireland. The judges ruled unanimously that Ireland's failure to implement the existing constitutional right to a lawful abortion in Ireland when a woman's life is at risk violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Strasbourg Spotlight on Ireland’s Abortion “Inertia”
- News Item
- September 14, 2011
New Human Rights and Equality Commission Must Be Fully Independent, says ICCL
- News Item
- September 9, 2011
