RENATE was represented this week at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pre-sessions in Geneva, as part of a delegation of Irish civil society organisations bringing important human rights concerns and recommendations to the international community.
The Universal Periodic Review is an important United Nations process through which the human rights record of each UN Member State is reviewed. The pre-sessions provide civil society organisations with an opportunity to engage directly with embassies and permanent missions, sharing their expertise, raising concerns and making recommendations ahead of a country’s formal review.
Ireland was one of 12 countries participating in this round of UPR pre-sessions.
Representing Irish civil society, the delegation brought together organisations working across a range of human rights issues. The submission from Act to Prevent Trafficking Ireland (APT) and Cork Life Centre, with the support of RENATE, focused particularly on human trafficking and the protection of children and people who have experienced exploitation.
Among the recommendations presented were:
- The full operationalisation of Ireland’s National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking;
- The introduction of a human trafficking awareness module for all healthcare employees;
- Recognition of children as victims of trafficking;
- Recognition of people who have been groomed and coerced into criminal activity as victims of trafficking; and
- Meaningful and sincere engagement with the expertise of MECPATHS.
Throughout the week, members of the Irish delegation met with representatives of a number of permanent missions, presenting their concerns and recommendations and highlighting areas where further action is needed to strengthen Ireland’s response to human trafficking.
RENATE is particularly committed to ensuring that the voices and expertise of those working to prevent human trafficking and support people affected by exploitation are brought into spaces where policy and international recommendations are shaped. Civil society plays a vital role in identifying gaps in protection, sharing frontline expertise and holding states accountable for meeting their human rights commitments.
We are grateful for the support provided to Irish civil society by the Irish Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in the preparation for the UPR pre-sessions.
The Irish delegation now looks ahead to Ireland’s Universal Periodic Review in November, when these recommendations will be formally considered as part of the review of Ireland’s human rights record.
RENATE is proud to support the continued engagement of Irish civil society in this process and to contribute to efforts to strengthen the prevention of human trafficking and the protection of those who are vulnerable to exploitation.