Visit to Ireland by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Mr Thomas Hammarberg will visit Ireland from 26-30 November to review the implementation of Ireland’s human rights commitments.  The visit is being undertaken on foot of a commitment made by the Commissioner on assuming office in April 2006 to conduct assessment visits in each of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe during his seven year term.

Welcoming the visit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., said:

 “As a founder member and firm supporter of the Council of Europe, Ireland attaches the highest priority to the Council’s work in the area of human rights.  We have been pleased to work closely with the Commissioner’s Office in developing a comprehensive programme for his first visit to Ireland.

He will be meeting the Taoiseach and several of my colleagues in Government, who look forward to engaging with the Commissioner on a range of issues.  It is also valuable that members of the Oireachtas, municipal leaders, the judiciary, human rights protection bodies, representatives of NGOs and civil society and the media will meet the Commissioner.

I am confident that the Commissioner’s visit will be a further important reflection of our excellent relationship with the Council of Europe.”

Note for Editors:

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights was established in 1999 as an independent institution within the Council of Europe. Its purpose is to help the governments of member states meet their human rights obligations and to advise them on best practice

Since taking office on 1 April 2006, Commissioner Hammarberg has conducted assessment visits to Austria, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia/ Herzegovina, Germany and the Ukraine. Following on the work of his predecessor, he has made follow-up visits to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Turkey.

++Press Office
25th November 2007