31st session of the Human Rights Council (26 February-23 March 2018)

Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

Statement by Ireland

01 March 2018

Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.  

Mr President,

Ireland welcomes the Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights and thanks her for her report.

Ireland has consistently argued that there is no conflict between fighting terrorism and respecting human rights.  In fact, there is an inextricable link.  We have supported UN Security Council resolutions which have affirmed that States must ensure that any measures taken to counter terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law.

We have continually recommended that close attention be paid to the views of human rights experts, including the High Commissioner and the Special Rapporteurs of the Commission on Human Rights.  Ireland has also consistently stated its full support for the recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ireland particularly welcomes the focus the Special Rapporteur has given to the relationship between entrenched emergency powers and sustained human rights violations. As the report describes, there is often a strong correlation between the persistence of states of emergency and extensive and wide-ranging human rights violations. We fully agree with the guidelines and good practice the report encourages governments to adopt while countering terrorism, thereby systematically addressing the pernicious problem of permanent emergencies.

We further welcome consideration of this topic by the Human Rights Council, which can help tease out the multi-layered human rights dimensions of countering terrorism.

Could the Special Rapporteur offer any guidance around the formulation of a consistent definition of what constitutes terrorism to ensure uniform application of counter-terrorism measures globally?

Thank you