Human Rights Council 36th Session (11-29 September 2017)

Item 3 – General Debate

Statement of Ireland

15 September 2017

Ireland aligns with the statement of the European Union and adds the following.

Mr President,

Ireland thanks the High Commissioner and his office for the range of reports submitted under this item. The diversity of the reports is indicative of the breadth of expertise within the office.

Due to time limitations, we will restrict our remarks to three reports.

First, Ireland wishes to highlight the report on capital punishment (A/HRC/36/26)and the report on the high-level panel discussion on the question of the death penalty (A/HRC/36/27). We are troubled by the finding of the disproportionate impact of the death penalty on economically vulnerable individuals, foreign nationals, and on individuals exercising the right to religion or belief and freedom of expression. These reports come almost ten years after the General Assembly, in its resolution 62/149, first called upon States to establish a moratorium on executions. Ireland thus remains gravely concerned about the breaking of moratoriums in some States, and the recent re-introduction of the death penalty in others. The death penalty has serious repercussions on human dignity and integrity, and we would thus strongly support the calls for its universal abolition.

Secondly, we welcome the report of the special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence (A/HRC/36/50). Ireland agrees that in all transitional contexts, civil society ‘are a determining factor in the fight against impunity, the struggle for recognition and campaigns for non-recurrence’. Ireland agrees that institutions play an integral role in ensuring the success of transitional justice and are essential to bring whatever healing is possible to victims and survivors. Ireland encourages the special rapporteur to continue his excellent work in this field.

Thank you