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Minister Stanton Reiterates Importance of Broad-Based Engagement on Equality and Human Rights

Mr David Stanton T.D., Minister of State for Justice with special
responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, today spoke at
the Government’s consultation for civil society on Ireland’s report to the
UN on our implementation on the UN Convention on the Elimination of all
forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Minister said “Today’s event will give civil society a chance to review
the progress that we have made over the past decade on women’s rights. All
of us must play our part in promoting equality and human rights. Each of
us can make a difference in helping to respect the rights of all. Civil
society has an important contribution to play in this process.”

The Minister added “I welcome the progress that we are making on equality
and human rights. I am particularly pleased that once the Paternity Leave
Bill has been enacted, fathers of children born from 1 September will get
the right to two weeks paternity leave. The measure will be good for
children, for fathers, for families.”

On 12 July, Minister Stanton addressed the UN General Assembly’s High Level
Thematic Debate on Human Rights at the Centre of the Global Agenda.

Minister Stanton also met key officials to discuss best practice in
promoting integration and in supporting refugees to settle into their new
communities.

Minister Stanton said “We have to get integration right. We have to
support those coming into Ireland to build futures for themselves and for
their families. New York, a city that has diversity at its heart, can give
us vital lessons in getting the process right.”

Minister Stanton concluded “Creating a society that respects the rights of
all is a collective process. As I said to the UN, if we harness our
collective commitment and experience we can ensure that human rights
remains firmly established at the centre of the global agenda. I believe
that the same applies here in Ireland. A shared commitment to the values
of equality and human rights can ensure that they remain at the heart of
our society.”

ENDS

Note for Editors
The Irish Government will submit its latest report to the UN on 12
September 2016 on the progress that Ireland has made in meeting its
obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimation Against Women (CEDAW). The Department of Justice and Equality
has organised a consultation on 19 July for civil society on the draft
report. The consultation is being attended by representatives of a range
of equality and human rights organisations. Ireland will appear before the
CEDAW Committee to discuss the report in 2017.

Minister David Stanton represented Ireland at the UN General Assembly on
Human Rights’ High-Level Thematic Debate in New York on 12 July 2016 which
had as its theme ‘Human Rights at the centre of the Global Agenda’.

Minister Stanton had a series of high-level meetings in New York to discuss
(1) best practice in promoting integration, (2) supporting refugees, (3)
strategies to combat violence against children, including internet
violence, and (4) the regulation of gambling, with the following:

· NYC Commissioner for Immigration, Nisha Agarwal;
· Baroness Joanna Shields OBE, UK United Kingdom Minister for Internet
Safety and Security, to celebrate the launch of the Global
Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children, and the
WePROTECT Global Alliance to End Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Public Strategy;
· US State Department Director of Refugee Admissions, Larry Bartlett;
· Church Work Service, Director, Mahmound;
· International Rescue Committee, Executive Director, Avigail Ziv;
· New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm;
· UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mutuma Ruteere;
· New York State Gaming Commissioner, Edmond Burns.

Minister Stanton also attended:
· the UN’s Global Town Hall session “Leading the United Nations” with
candidates for future UN Secretary;
· the General Interactive Dialogue on Combatting Discrimination and
Inequalities moderated by: Ms. Kate Gilmore, Deputy High
Commissioner, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights;
· a high-level luncheon hosted by Irene Khan, Director General of the
International Development Law Association on theme of “Building the
foundations for human rights – governance, the rule of law and access
to justice”.

In addition, Minister Stanton had a bilateral meeting with the Canadian
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Omar Alghabra.