Amnesty warns against human rights 'cost-cutting'

Amnesty International has warned the Government against using its proposal to merge a number of statutory human rights bodies to cut financial support for the protection of human rights in Ireland.

Plans to merge the Equality Authority, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the office of the Data Protection Commissioner into a single agency were revealed yesterday.

However, the human rights body said it should not turn into a cost cutting exercise.

“Amnesty International would support any measure that strengthens agencies promoting and protecting human rights. But any single agency such as is being suggested must be independent and properly funded,” said Amnesty International Irish section executive director Colm O’Gorman.

“That agency would require as broad a mandate as possible, clearly set out in legislation. Also, the existing agencies must not be hampered in continuing to carry out their duties during any changes.”

Mr O’Gorman said the Equality Authority, Equality Tribunal and Irish Human Rights Commission had been "consistently underfunded", which he said has had an impact on its work.

“We know many people throughout civil society will share our concern that similar under-resourcing awaits a future single agency,” he said.

Mr O’Gorman called for transparency in the merger process and urged the Government to engage in public consultation as soon as possible.