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FLAC to lead shadow reporting process for ESC covenant

22 May 2014

One of FLAC's key aims is to advance international and national standards that promote human rights, which are fundamental to everyone and permeate all areas of law. Ireland signed and ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in 1989 and is due to be examined by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural rights in 2015.

This UN Committee will review the Government’s progress on protecting, respecting and fulfilling people's basic rights on key issues such as education, health, housing, social security, workers’ rights, employment, protection of families and cultural life.

In light of this examination and as a legal rights body that champions the use of law for the benefit of marginalised and disadvantaged people in Ireland, FLAC intends to submit an independent report that ‘shadows’ the State’s report. It will present a stand-alone view of how the State has honoured its obligations under the International Covenant. This Shadow Report will be considered by the UN Committee during the Irish government’s examination next year. We hope to help influence the List of Issues for consideration by the UN Committee and the questions to be raised with the Government in advance of its examination.

To get a good sense of the issues affecting groups on the ground, in May FLAC held general public consultations in Dublin, Cork and Galway as well as two Dublin-based thematic consultations on cross-cutting issues: housing and social security. We thank all the groups and individuals who came along and made such valuable contributions!

 

But if you didn't make it to one of the sessions, there is still time to have your say on how economic, social and cultural rights are being protected, respected and fulfilled in Ireland! 

Written submissions can be sent to the research team by 30 May 2014. Please see our detailed questionnaire for guidance.

For further details, see the FLAC information sheet or contact the research team to be added to our mailing list.

You can also follow us on Twitter for updates on @realrightsIRL

We hope you'll join us in telling the real story on key human rights in Ireland!

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