COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Commissioner for Human Rights concludes assessment visit to Ireland

[30 November 2007] - The Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has concluded today a five-day high-level official visit to Ireland, where he assessed a broad range of human rights issues, focusing mainly on children’s rights, juvenile justice, migrants’ and women’s rights, treatment of asylum seekers and the situation of Travellers.

During the visit, the Commissioner visited various institutions in Dublin and Cork and met with members of the Irish Government, including the Taoiseach (Head of Government) Bertie Ahern, as well as parliamentarians, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, President of the High Court, Attorney General, Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork. Moreover, Mr Hammarberg’s agenda included meetings with the Irish Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman for Children, the Equality Authority and representatives of civil society.

The Commissioner welcomed the plan of a referendum to include the rights of the child on the Constitution. “It is essential to establish that the principle of the best interest of the child must be a primary consideration in all decision-making affecting the child” said Thomas Hammarberg.

On juvenile justice, the Commissioner expressed his satisfaction about the plans of the Irish government to close the Saint Patrick’s prison and encouraged further efforts to develop alternatives to imprisonment in the youth justice system. “Detention of minors should be the very last resort and only used for the most serious cases” he said. “Other measures should be applied, where young people are granted social and educational opportunities to facilitate their safe reintegration in the society”.

The Commissioner also underlined the importance of adopting a total ban of corporal punishment encouraging the Irish government to follow the examples of other European countries in this field. “Chastisement has no place in the education of a child” said the Commissioner. “A total ban would send a clear message to parents and educators that a different approach must be found”.

Finally, Thomas Hammarberg stressed the need to find a solution to the excessive length of stay of some asylum-seekers, including children, in reception centres, affirming that the uncertain conditions in which they are kept “may be cause of strong distress.”

The Commissioner’s assessment report on Ireland, containing recommendations to help redress shortcomings, is expected to be presented in early 2008.

Further information

• Ireland: Child asylum centres unsafe for children (29 October 2007)
• Ireland: Me, You, Everyone - Rights and Responsibilities (July 2007)
• Advice of the Ombudsman for Children of Ireland on the proposed constitutional referendum (December 2006)