A new European report has found that Ireland’s progress on rule of law in 2024 has been minimal or stagnant.
Community and voluntary organisations afraid to criticise the State for fear of financial implications
New ICCL research report details infringements of civil society’s rights of public participation, freedom of association and freedom of expression
ICCL launches advocacy initiative Rochtain
ICCL is proud to present our new advocacy initiative, Rochtain. With supporting funding from the St. Stephen’s Green Trust, Rochtain will work to democratise and enhance the advocacy capacity of community and voluntary organisations through training, information seminars and 1-1 support.
Rule of Law in Ireland has regressed in a number of areas, report finds
A new European report has found that rule of law in Ireland has regressed in a number of areas, including systemic human rights issues
ICCL submission on the Electoral Reform Bill to the European Commission
August 2022 We have written to the European Commission to express our strong reservations with respect to the passage of the Electoral Reform Bill (2022) in its current form. If passed it could have an impact on the free expression …
ICCL joins NGOs in calling for condemnation of attacks on Palestinian civil society
19 August 2022 ICCL has signed a joint letter to the Irish government calling for the swift condemnation of attacks on Palestinian civil society and urging Minister for Foreign Affiars, Simon Coveney TD, to raise these attacks at EU and …
Coalition for Civil Society Freedom submission on the Electoral Reform Bill
May 2022 ICCL is the coordinator of the Coalition for Civil Society Freedom, a coalition of 5 organisations working for the benefit of everyone in Ireland. In the Coalition’s submission to the Oireachtas on the Electoral Reform Bill, we highlight …
ICCL submission on the Electoral Reform Bill
May 2022 ICCL voiced our concern that the continuing undemocratic restrictions on freedom ofassociation contained in the 1997 Electoral Act which will be further encoded into law in the Electoral Reform Bill. Our submission supplements those made by the Coalition …
European Commission Criticises Government for Rushing Legislation Through before Dáil Recess in new Report
15 July 2022 ICCL and 22 other national organisations have today issued an open letter to the government and party leaders in the Oireachtas sounding the alarm that the ongoing abuse of parliamentary processes cannot continue. The letter expresses dissatisfaction with …
UN criticises Irish ban on funding for charity sector
Two prominent UN human rights experts, including Irishwoman Mary Lawlor – Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders – have criticised Ireland regarding its ban on fundraising for civil society. Ms Lawlor and Clément Voule, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of …
ICCL is Hiring: Policy Officer Positions (Criminal Justice & Democratic Freedoms)
ICCL is recruiting for two Policy Officer positions to work as part of our team of human rights activists.
Irish Civil Society Brings Funding Law to UN
01 July 2020 A coalition of NGOs has written to a UN human rights expert expressing concern that overly stringent restrictions on funding mean Irish campaigners are hampered in their work. The NGOs say that in the past three years …
Call to include physically distant protest as a reasonable excuse to leave home
23 April 2020 The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said that the government should review the decision to exclude protest from the list of reasonable excuses to leave home during the pandemic. The call comes as discrepancies arose …
Sample letter seeking preservation of CCTV footage
DATE Private & Confidential ADDRESS Re: Insert time and location Dear X, We are requesting that CCTV footage from X time on Y date be preserved and a copy of same released to me. We are making this request under …
ICCL launches Know Your Rights guide for protesters
25 January 2020 The Irish Council for Civil Liberties today launched the 8th installment in its Know Your Rights series, a guide for protesters. Doireann Ansbro, ICCL’s Senior Research and Policy Officer, compiled the guide with input from protesters, law …
Sign the petition to Repeal the Censorship Act!
Sign the petition to Repeal the Censorship Act and help liberate the arts in Ireland!
Protest Under Fire: How Dissent is Silenced
For the third year running, ICCL is hosting a panel at the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival. This year, we’re focusing on protest rights. Where? Science Gallery Dublin, Pearse St. When? Saturday 28th September 4:30pm To register click here …
Preliminary report: ICCL National Consultation with Protesters
26 June 2019 ICCL travelled to Cork, Ennis and Dublin between 19 and 22 June to meet with environmental activists, anti-war protesters, anti-eviction groups, and activists living in Direct Provision. We had individual meetings with some groups and we also …
ICCL highlights urgent concerns for the right to protest following national consultation
26 June 2019 The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), having engaged last week in a national consultation with protest groups, is today reporting serious and urgent concerns in how the Irish state deals with protest and dissent. We have …
ICCL National Consultation with Protesters
ICCL travelled to Cork, Ennis and Dublin between 19 and 22 June to meet with environmental activists, anti-war protesters, anti-eviction groups, and activists living in Direct Provision. We also met with representatives of An Garda Síochána and relevant oversight bodies. …