Ireland has a strong human rights record and plays a leading role in international human rights fora. Human rights are central to our foreign policy. Ireland strongly supports, both politically and financially, the work of the United Nations in the field of human rights. Ireland regards the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as crucial to the functioning of the United Nations. Ireland is in the top ten of financial contributors to the Office on a per capita basis.
Ireland is firmly committed to the principle that all human rights are universal and indivisible. We promote human rights in our bilateral relations with other countries and, with our partners in the European Union, continually monitor the human rights situation in many countries throughout the world.
We believe that the international community has an obligation to act when it has concerns in relation to human rights abuses, and that these concerns should be pursued whenever possible in a constructive spirit of cooperation and dialogue, conscious of the responsibility of all Governments to promote and protect human rights. Respect for human rights is central to the preservation of peace and the promotion of development. Ireland is committed to the active promotion and full observance of universal human rights standards, at home and abroad.
At UN headquarters in New York, Ireland participates actively, both nationally and through the European Union, in the work of the human rights fora, with a priority focus on the Third Committee of the General Assembly. The Third Committee’s work includes the examination of human rights questions, including reports of the special procedures of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. The Committee also discusses the advancement of women, the protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the promotion of the right to self-determination. Ireland also participates actively in the human rights-related work of the sub-commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), especially the work of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) with its focus on gender equality, women’s rights and the empowerment of women.
The Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in New York also works closely with the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN in Geneva on human rights issues as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Human Rights Council are based in Geneva.
Candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council, 2013-2015
In 2006, Ireland declared its intention to seek membership of the Human Rights Council at elections which will take place in 2012. If elected, Ireland will be a Human Rights Council member from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015. We hope to be afforded the opportunity to contribute to a strong and dynamic Human Rights Council that can play a real and meaningful role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. With this goal in mind, Ireland has committed to the following voluntary pledges and commitments. Links to pledges and commitments here:
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