On Human Rights Day, 10th December 2010, the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) published a Shadow Report to the UN Committee monitoring Ireland's compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
This report, which has now been sent to the UN Committee, focuses on Ireland's record on racial discrimination. In calling for a restoration of resources for monitoring and tackling racial discrimination and abuse, the IHRC calls on the Government specifically for better protection of the rights of asylum seekers, the Traveller Community, migrant workers and their families, and victims of human trafficking.
Commenting on the racial discrimination which is present in Ireland's multi-ethnic population, Dr. Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC, outlined how the "human rights and equality infrastructure that worked to promote multiculturalism and combat racism has either been disbanded or disabled". Looking at the safeguarding of the rights of asylum seekers, Dr. Manning criticised the current direct provision system and highlighted the long waiting periods in processing asylum applications as being a key cause of the poor mental health among asylum seekers.
Mr Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC, noted the report's examination of the impact of an increasingly diverse society and the need for a wider choice in relation to schools; "it is (also) clear that legislative and policy changes are required to ensure that people of non-faith and from religious minorities are not deterred from training as teachers or taking up employment as teachers". Among its findings, the Report notes that 98% of Irish primary schools are under religious patronage.
To view further findings in the Report in full, please click here.