Thread by @LTlaw_

Day 2 #CERD19 A mumber of Committee members have yet to ask questions, before the Irish delegation @merrionstreet led by @DSGJustEqual will respond

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual The Chairperson #CERD19 notes that if time runs out, the State may provide written answers to the Committee post the examination

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual (1) Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy: What is the implementation framework, why is its budget so low, and why is there a lack of participation between these groups, and with Govt?

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual (2) Employment and education of Travellers and Roma: Committee member notes 'alarming statistics' #CERD19 both groups suffer from significant employment and educational discrimination. Why have the State not adopted targeted measures to combat these issues?

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual (3) How will National Action Plan against Racism be implemented, and what is timeline for implementation, and how will Plan be delivered?

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual (4) Traveller Accom & Housing: Can the State indicate a timeframe for mechanisms implementing Traveller accom? Will the State reconsider the criminalising of traditional nomadic lifestyle? Are the State keeping statistics on these issues?

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual (5) #directprovision #CERD19 what is State doing regarding the front groups pretending to voice concerns surrounding accom centres for asylum seekers, when they are simply engaged in racism within local communities?

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual State responses now to questions now commencing #CERD19 You can access a summary of (most) questions asked by the Committee here (and above) threadreaderapp.com/thread/1201501…

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual DG of @DeptJusticeIRL noting that for some topics, the State will respond in writing, as unable to respond overnight #CERD19 @DSGJustEqual also acknowledging the role of @davidstantontd in furthering equality in Ireland

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd Fourteen topics that @DeptJusticeIRL will respond to (1) On Incorporation of #CERD19, State argues that the obligations of CERD are de facto implemented in Ireland, through a range of legislative measures. However, CERD does not place an obligation to implement domestically.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd Topic 2: Data- #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL states data across many fields, migrant, Roma, Traveller etc. is 'essential'. Data needed for evidence based realisation of rights. Number of recent actions undertaken in this field.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd Topic 2: Data- #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL notes role of @Esri @EMNIreland as responsible for collection and use of migrant equality data. In line with EU obligs, Ireland "will take steps" to further data collect on #separatedchildren, 2nd generation migrants & measuring integration

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland Topic 2: Data- #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL On Equality Budgeting, @OSCE on Ireland's invite, produced a scanning study on this topic. The @CSOIreland will now further improve data collection methods across various equality fields oecd.org/gov/budgeting/…

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 2: Data- #CERD19
@DeptJusticeIRL Racial awareness training is provided to @CSOIreland for census data gathering, and will be in 2021. State does not know why numbers of Black persons in Ireland have fallen, and notes self-identifying nature of this Q on #census2016

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 2: Data- #CERD19
@DeptJusticeIRL emphasises the centrality of the 2018-2020 Strategy to make provision for post evaluation of all issues regarding policy formulation. Topic 2 concluded.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland On Topic 2 @DSGJustEqual notes unusual population flows out of Ireland due to recession. Equality budgeting is "exciting" and civil service leading this 'significant change' in ensuring financial resources are equality proofed.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 3: Racism #CERD19 @DSGJustEqual notes that racial discrimination does exist in Ireland. New Committee on Racism will meet by end of month, or early new year. Purpose of Committee is to recommend to Govt how to tackle racism for minorities and migrants in Ireland

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 3: Racism #CERD19 Independent chair of Committee will be Prof Caroline Fennell. Terms of reference not yet set. But some potential themes, will be scanning international approaches, recommending best practice on anti-racism

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 3: Racism #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL stating that Committee will have to issue first report by June 2020, but terms of reference yet to be fully finalised. @DSGJustEqual commits to considering any CERD recomms that may emerge

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland Topic 3: Racism #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL noting role of @_IHREC in combating racial discrimination. @DSGJustEqual commits to considering recommendations of CERD committee as regard rights infrastructure in Ireland.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 3: Racism #CERD19 @DSGJustEqual responding to issue of far-right front groups (my note- looking at one of those groups as I type in Geneva ) and issue of #directprovision. @DSGJustEqual notes that Govt is aware of these groups using, to a degree, 'rights language'

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL Ireland will progress new legislation on both hate speech and hate crime. Ireland does have laws to deal with hate crime (to a degree). Acknowledges no offence with 'hate crime' label.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL Challenges in data collection, as judge may or may not take into a/c hate motives within general criminal law, and no specific legal offence, although @DeptJusticeIRL noting reform of 1989 Incitement Act irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1989/act/1…

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL acknowledges that 1989 Act has to be updated to ensure effective prosecution of hate speech. @DeptJusticeIRL noting they have 2000+ submissions to date (D/L 13 Dec justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/… )

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL states hate speech is not freedom of expression, but states that they must 'calibrate' legislation very carefully. @DeptJusticeIRL notes that criminal law response may not be appropriate in certain circumstances

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 @DeptJusticeIRL must be training for judges, Gardai, prosecutors in relation to this potential new offence(s), while ensuring judicial independence is upheld.

@merrionstreet @DSGJustEqual @DeptJusticeIRL @davidstantontd @Esri @EMNIreland @OSCE @CSOIreland @_IHREC Topic 4: Hate Speech/Crime #CERD19 Within a couple of weeks,
@DeptJusticeIRL will publish scoping study on how other countries deal with hate crime, and what is the best approach and how Ireland can learn from experience of other countries.

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