Draft Report on Ireland’s third UPR

12th November 2021

On Wednesday 10th November, Ireland was reviewed by the Human Rights Council Working Group as part of Ireland’s third review under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). During the review, 103 States engaged with Ireland on its human rights performance since its second review in 2016.

The recommendations made by recommending States were adopted on the afternoon of Friday 12th November, along with the publication of the Draft Report. We look forward to constructive engagement with the State on the implementation of the recommendations. We have captured some of the recommendations relating IPRT's work made by States during the review:

• Ratify OPCAT (this recommendation was made by 21 States)
• Take steps to reduce overcrowding, particularly where women are deprived of liberty
• Ensure that solitary confinement remains a measure of last resort, for the shortest period possible, and never applied to minors
• Consider applying more non-custodial measures
• Bring prison conditions in line with the UN 'Nelson Mandela Rules'
• Ensure mentally ill persons in prison have access to psychiatric care
• Strengthen fundamental safeguards against torture in prison
• Investigate thoroughly and impartially all cases of abuse of authority by prison staff
• Ensure prison conditions meet international standards
• Hold people on remand separate from convicted prisoners

The Draft Report is now available on the UN OHCHR website.

For more on IPRT's engagement with the UPR, please see the links below.

Media coverage:

• Irish Legal News: Irish treatment of prisoners to come under UN spotlight