Equality & Rights Alliance, 7 Red Cow Lane, Dublin 7 Tel: 01-8148860

www.eracampaign.org

For release: November 20, 2009

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, was briefed today by Equality & Rights Alliance (ERA) on the impact of cuts and government intervention on the Irish equality and human rights infrastructure.

Ms Pillay was presented with a copy of ERA's new research "Downgrading Equality and Human Rights: Assessing the Impact" which reviews the work of the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission and assesses the effects of the cuts on their operation. The study was discussed during a briefing meeting with civil society groups at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ 10th NGO Forum on Human Rights.

ERA Chair Joanna McMinn said that she trusted that the UN would respond to the greatly weakened state of Irish equality and human rights structures, particularly given that this country was previously regarded as a model of good practice in both areas.

"The equality and human rights infrastructure that was in place before the events of Autumn 2008 was in many respects adequate. What we have now is unacceptable. What we can have, with international support from the UN, political will and strong civil society involvement, can restore Ireland's reputation as a leader in the protection and exercise of human rights."

Ms Pillay was keynote speaker at the Forum.

For more information contact:

Edel Hackett, Tel: 087-2935207

Edel Hackett
Mount Browne House
Distillery Road
Westport
Co. Mayo
Tel: 098-50218/087-2935207

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