A/HRC/19/2
551. With regard to Ireland’s position on abortion and the response to the judgement of
the European Court of Human Rights on ABC v. Ireland, the Government had set up an
expert group to examine the judgement, to elucidate its implications for the provision of
health-care services to pregnant women in Ireland, and to recommend a series of options on
how to implement the judgement, taking into account the constitutional, legal, medical and
ethical considerations involved in the formulation of public policy in this area and the need
for speedy action. The expert group was established on 13 January 2012 and was composed
of 14 experts in the fields of obstetrics, psychiatry, general practice, law, professional
regulation and public policy. It was chaired by a judge of the Irish High Court and would
present the Government with its written report by the end of July 2012.
552. The Government had also announced its decision to sign the Optional Protocol to
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the coming weeks at
United Nations Headquarters in New York. The current programme for the Government
clearly stated the policy and goal of forging a new Ireland based on fairness and equality.
The complaints mechanism that would be established by the Optional Protocol was in
keeping with the spirit of the many independent complaints, monitoring and inspection
bodies currently in place in Ireland. Signing the Optional Protocol would be an opportunity
to continue to affirm Ireland’s determination to achieve full respect for human rights in
practice.
553. The proposed wording for a referendum on children’s rights was currently being
finalized, with a view to holding the referendum later in 2012.
554. Ireland had chosen to prepare and submit a voluntary interim report on its progress
in implementing its commitments.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Human Rights Council on the
review outcome
555. Algeria welcomed the acceptance by Ireland of a number of recommendations,
including some on the rights of persons with disabilities, the need to take effective
measures to improve prison conditions, and to continue the implementation of policies
concerning domestic violence. Algeria expressed its hope that Ireland would reconsider its
position on the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights
of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Algeria wished Ireland well in the
implementation of the recommendations.
556. Uruguay valued the acceptance by Ireland of a number of recommendations to ratify
international human rights instruments. It considered, that Ireland should however, keep
under consideration the recommendation to accede to the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Uruguay
encouraged Ireland to strengthen legislation and policies aiming at assigning a tutor to nonaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Uruguay referred also to one of their
recommendations, which had been partially accepted, and encouraged Ireland to make
progress in ensuring the legal prohibition of all forms of corporal punishment against
children.
557. The Republic of Moldova welcomed Ireland’s constructive engagement with the
universal periodic review process, applauded Ireland for its cooperation with civil society
and acknowledged Ireland’s acceptance of a significant number of recommendations. It
expressed its appreciation to Ireland for having accepted the three recommendations that
the Republic of Moldova had made during the review. It noted that Ireland had
strengthened its policies and laws on domestic violence, as well as the measures to
eliminate inequality between men and women. The Republic of Moldova welcomed
GE.13-14768
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