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Ireland elected to UN Human Rights Council for first time

Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International said that this gives the Irish Government an opportunity to play a greater role in tackling some of the major human rights issues in the world today.

IRELAND HAS BEEN elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the first time.

During its bid to become a member, Ireland received 127 recommendations from other UN member states on how to improve its human rights record. It is to serve a three-year term on the council.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, said:

It gives the Government an opportunity to play a greater role in tackling some of the major human rights issues in the world today. But like any successful candidate, Ireland must abide by the commitments it made during the election campaign.

He said Amnesty would particularly urge the Government “to put in place a firm timetable to ratify the Enforced Disappearances Convention and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed in 2007″.

We also urge Ireland to ratify as quickly as possible the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to ensure that the new Human Rights and Equality Commission has adequate independence, remit, powers and resources.

Ireland was one of five states running for three seats reserved for the ‘Western Europe and Others’ group of nations. The United States and Germany join Ireland on the Human Rights Council, while Greece and Sweden were unsuccessful candidates on this occasion

Ireland’s human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has welcomed today’s news.

ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:

Ireland’s election in the face of stiff competition from other Western European states is testament both to its outstanding record in promoting human rights abroad and to the adroitness of its diplomatic efforts within the United Nations. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is looking forward to cooperating closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as it strives to put into practice at domestic level the election commitments that it has made to other UN Member States.

Read: Ireland’s human rights record under spotlight at the UN>

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32 Comments
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    Mute Disildoforus
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    Nov 12th 2012, 6:42 PM

    …. “But like any successful candidate, Ireland must abide by the commitments it made during the election campaign.!

    Its not something they are well known for!

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    Mute Ian Walsh
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:51 PM

    I hope they are watching what is about to happen in Uganda. They are about to pass a law which will allow for the execution of homosexuals… sick country. Aid from Ireland should be stopped with immediate effect.

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    Mute Waffler Towers
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:03 PM

    Hypocrisy seeing how we don’t respect the rights of homosexuals

    98
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    Mute Winston
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:13 PM

    By what standard? China and Russia are on the Security Council…

    Can you give me the name of any state that is so flawless it would be a perfect candidate for the position?

    I think by any standard we can be proud of our HR record and the contribution we have made to the UN

    89
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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:29 PM

    Security Council? Ah Human Rights Council I think

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    Mute Winston
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:35 PM

    Have a check before you correct someone. It’s a little embarrassing when it turns out you don’t have your facts right…

    The point that I was making is that all sorts of states are all all sorts of councils in the UN because it is not an idealistic organisation….

    Ireland, by any stretch of the imagination, is actually an ideal candidate for the HR Council.

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:44 PM

    What facts? I agree with you that Ireland sets good standards in HR compared to other states but it has nothing to do with the security council. Why compare it to that at all?

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    Mute Mark Vieregge
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    Nov 12th 2012, 6:57 PM

    I don’t want to spoil the party, but what will it cost us now?

    68
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Nov 12th 2012, 8:18 PM

    Yes. We should bury our heads in the sand. Now is the time for us to hide our International profile. Good God.

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    Mute tom
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    Nov 12th 2012, 9:21 PM

    ha ha did we not sell our kids to get in ;)

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    Mute Nuffsaid Thatsall
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    Nov 12th 2012, 10:35 PM

    FFS Mark!!! What’s it gonna cost us!?!?! Seeing as how our little nation & its development has been basically bank-rolled with EU grants for the best part of two decades, f**k all I’d imagine!!!

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    Mute kingstown
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    Nov 12th 2012, 8:27 PM

    Why are bothering with the UN ? It’s useless.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:16 PM

    Happy Gilmore will be over the moon, or returning from his planet to save our world!

    36
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    Mute Aisling Doyle
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:39 PM

    Classic ….. Wonder will Leo varadkra will say seen as he seems to be minister for everything lol

    41
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Nov 12th 2012, 8:21 PM

    #Coco- have you found any news in relation to Ireland positive? Anything? Anything at all?

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 12th 2012, 8:59 PM

    I see you’ve crawled back out from under your rock, vincent! Any more about FG blaming the previous shower for Bankers wages, while okaying 500k+ for new bankers or should we not talk about your masters?

    21
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Nov 12th 2012, 9:02 PM

    #Krusty- answer my question.

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    Mute peter
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    Nov 12th 2012, 9:17 PM

    Stephen & Vincent shall I get the popcorn or are you finished ?

    23
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    Mute Vincent Dolan
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    Nov 12th 2012, 9:22 PM

    #Peter- you should stick around. Sometimes Stephen and his friends do this trick where they try to fit 25 of them into the back of a mini. With the comedy shoes and the green wigs, it’s a joy to behold. They mastered it when working for Fossetts.

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    Mute Laura Crowe
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    Nov 12th 2012, 6:48 PM

    Odd timing after Referendum passed.

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    Mute Winston
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    Nov 12th 2012, 7:14 PM

    ?

    45
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    Mute Doc Benway
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    Nov 12th 2012, 9:37 PM

    Obviously our record of dealing with the atrocities committed by pedophile priests, whilst simultaneously providing support and compensation for their victims, together with the renowned honesty of our politicians has won us many admirers in the UN.

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Nov 12th 2012, 10:26 PM

    There will be a couple of handy openings for ex ministers and retired bankers.

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    Mute Jamie Walsh
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    Nov 12th 2012, 10:24 PM

    Great news. Really well done to all involved This is something to be proud of.

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    Mute Toby Parker
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    Nov 12th 2012, 10:49 PM

    I would not want to be in any club that Ireland is a member of. It is the ultimate Uncle Tom that’s turned on its own people. You don’t have to be Irish to be Irish, all you have to do is to do what you are told while your Govt sells your soul and keeps the money for it.

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    Mute Peter Lawless
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    Nov 13th 2012, 3:50 AM

    Considering who else is on this council, stalwarts of human rights such as Pakistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Gabon etc. It’s the ultimate oxymoron!

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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Nov 13th 2012, 2:42 AM

    Talk about a way to discredit the UN even more, has anyone looked at some of the other countries to be elected. Bastions of human rights such as Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Kenya, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, USA and Pakistan. You couldn’t make it up. With those countries making it I’m almost surprised that Sudan failed. A complete and utter joke of a committee, the only people who will benefit are the politicians and civil servants on the junkets to it’s meetings.

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    Mute steve white
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    Nov 13th 2012, 1:43 AM

    while turning a blind eye to kidnap and torture ring operating through our country

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    Mute John Coole
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    Nov 13th 2012, 5:33 AM

    ‘Yeah, sure , I can get ya on the Council- but it’ll cost ya’. But you don’t care about that do ya? Your a lefty n you don’t mind giving away the borrowed money do ya , ya know- the interest the next generation will have to keep on giving, I know how it works aye? You n me together ‘,.( wink wink).

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    Mute Michael O'Reilly
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    Nov 13th 2012, 9:56 AM

    Another junket for an old boy/girl….more noise signifying nothing?!?!

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    Mute Frank2521
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    Nov 13th 2012, 7:51 AM

    Does this mean that people seeking invalidity pension will not have to wait a year in some cases in ireland? The poor staff in the section in Longford must be under stress and strain as they get no support in processing the claim forms. Of course the people who are looking for for the pension continue to Di without bus passes and other essential needs but our government don’t seem to give a damn a bout these people only care about paying BONDHOLDERS on the exact date not a year later.

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    Mute Catherine lonergan
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    Nov 13th 2012, 6:39 PM

    I wonder why that is?

    Isn’t that gr8 now we won’t have a say in anything that will happen in ireland!

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