The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights and equality institution.
They are an independent public body that accounts to the Oireachtas, with a mandate established under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 (IHREC Act 2014). The IHREC Act includes and further enhances the functions of the former Irish Human Rights Commission and the former Equality Authority.
Their purpose is to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State.
Their work is determined independently by the fifteen members of the Commission who were appointed by their Head of State, President Michael D. Higgins, in 2014. The diverse membership of the Commission broadly reflects the nature of Irish society.
They work in a variety of ways to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland.
The work of the Commission ranges from working at the policy level to review the effectiveness of human rights and equality law, policy and practice in the State and within public bodies, to working with communities and civil society to monitor and report on people’s real life experiences of human rights and equality on the ground.
Their legal powers include giving practical help, including legal assistance to help people defend their rights, and contributing to legal cases (amicus curiae) that deal with someone’s equality or human rights.
Whether they are addressing individual concerns, engaging with government or public bodies on policy and practice issues or raising awareness with public audiences on human rights and equality, their task is to build a fair and inclusive society that protects and promotes human rights and equality.
Vision: An inclusive Ireland where human rights and equality are respected, protected and fulfilled for everyone, everywhere.
Mission: To build a fair and inclusive society that protects and promotes human rights and equality in Ireland.
Mandate:
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was established on 1 November 2014, under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. In undertaking its mandate the Commission is obliged by section 10(3) of the Act to exercise its functions with a view to encouraging and supporting the development of a society in which:
There is respect for, and protection of, each person’s human rights There is respect for the dignity and worth of each person A person’s ability to achieve his or her potential is not limited by prejudice, discrimination, neglect or prohibited conduct Each person has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the economic, political, social or cultural life of the State, and There is mutual respect between persons, including classes of persons1, based on a shared understanding of the value of diversity within society and on a shared respect for equality and human rights
