Human Rights Concerns in Ireland

A great summary of the human rights concerns highlighted by key stakeholders in Ireland has been published by the UN in advance of the UN Human Rights Council's examination of Ireland in October 2011.

Some issues demanding attention include:

- The need for the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
- The desirability in conducting an analysis of the contribution that the Community & Voluntary sector makes to human rights promotion and protection in Ireland.
- The policing of protestors around the Corrib Gas Project.
- The demand for full civil marriage legislation for same sex couples.
- The lack of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority.
- The necessity for greater legislative and policy protections for vulnerable migrant workers.

The above is just a small selection of the great many submissions made by 60 stakeholders in Ireland in advance of the UN Human Rights Council's examination. View the full summary here.

Update: Israeli Flotilla Raid - Illegal

It's been reported today that the UN Human Rights Council has found that Israel's military broke multiple international laws when it raided the Gaza bound flotilla in May of this year.

In addition, the UN body also called the Israeli blockade unlawful in itself.

Israel has already denounced the findings as biased but once again a UN body has found the actions of Israel to be contrary to international law.

However, whether or not there will be appropriate consequences is another matter.