Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline his views on the UN Human Rights Council and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and whether their recommendations should be followed in Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47568/23]
View answerThe United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is the principal intergovernmental body within the UN system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights globally, and for addressing violations of human rights and human rights situations of concern. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading UN entity on human rights, mandated to promote and protect all human rights, assist governments, and mainstream human rights into UN programmes.
Ireland is committed to multilateralism, the rule of law, and the protection and promotion of human rights. We are a strong supporter of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. We served as a member of the Human Rights Council from 2013-2015 and have declared our candidacy for the term 2027-2029. We see the continued protection and promotion of human rights as essential to securing peace and stability globally.
Ireland is strongly committed to upholding international human rights law, including respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights in Ireland and internationally. As such, we take seriously all recommendations emanating from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
We give due consideration to, and engage constructively with, such recommendations, to ensure that we are adhering to evolving norms and standards, and to inform our policy and decision-making, despite the fact that such recommendations are not legally binding. Each Department determines what action may need to be taken on foot of such recommendations.
In the case of the Universal Periodic Review process, a peer review process, all recommendations received are reviewed by the relevant Government Departments and there is an option to accept or note recommendations, with due consideration to Ireland’s legislative framework and policy priorities. Recommendations that are accepted are followed up by the relevant Departments, with a view to informing policy and legislative decisions.
Communications from UN Special Procedures are likewise given due consideration by the relevant Government Departments. These independent human rights experts are mandated to advise on human rights on a variety of issues and play a very important role in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues.
Resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council are the political expression of the views of its members, or a majority of its members, on specific human rights issues that are of particular concern to the international community. On issues of particular interest, States may opt to signal their support to such resolutions, or implement their recommendations, but are not legally bound to do so.
