CoE body calls for hate-speech measures
The Council of Europe’s anti-racism body has called on Ireland to introduce new measures to combat hate speech.
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) also called for improvements in the availability and quality of accommodation for people seeking or granted international protection.
highlighted what it described as several “positive developments” since 2019 – including the launch of a national action plan against racism, the preparation of a draft national LGBTQI+ inclusion strategy, and new mechanisms for dealing with hate crime.
The ECRI also welcomed “important new measures” concerning Travellers and Roma but added that these groups continued to face high levels of racism and discrimination.
Incitement
It welcomed the enactment of the , which provides for increased sanctions for certain crimes where proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated.
The body, however, “regrets to note” that parts of the bill dealing with incitement to violence or hatred were removed during the legislative process.
It urged the Government to take steps towards legislative measures aimed at “specifying and clearly defining in criminal law expressions of hate speech that are subject to criminal liability”.
Also among its 15 recommendations was a call for legislation that “clearly prohibits” racial profiling by gardaí.
Resources for IHREC
The ECRI urged the Government to allocate “sufficient human and financial resources” to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) to enable it to carry out all its functions effectively.
It also called for measures to strengthen IHREC’s independence in the recruitment and appointment of its staff.
IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick said that his organisation welcomed the ECRI’s recognition of Ireland’s progress in developing key strategies to combat racism and promote inclusion.
“At the same time, the report underlines that significant gaps remain, particularly in tackling incitement to hatred, ensuring fair treatment for international protection applicants, and providing our national equality body with the resources necessary to fulfil its statutory mandate,” he added.