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Image: UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon addressing the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014

Press release, for immediate release

Friday, 21 March 2014

Ireland's independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has today (Friday, 21 March 2014) welcomed the publication of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Bill, but called upon the Government to end its "catch 22" approach to implementing international human rights law.

The publication of the IHREC Bill comes as Ireland faces renewed international scrutiny at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, where the State will today submit an 'interim report' under the UN's Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

Commenting on these developments, ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

"The ICCL warmly welcomes the publication of the IHREC Bill and the Government's assertions that 'the promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of Ireland's domestic and foreign policies' and that it is 'committed to protecting the rights of all members of society, particularly the most vulnerable'. However, a detailed analysis of the action taken since 2011 to implement UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations tells a different story."

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