Issue Date: 31st May 2022
An Garda Síochána has today published a new Human Rights Strategy 2022-2024.
An Garda Síochána Human Rights Strategy 2022-2024 commits to prioritising:
- Reducing harm by promoting and protecting the dignity and human rights of victims and all vulnerable persons interacting with An Garda Síochána;
- Promoting and championing An Garda Síochána values
- Empowering our personnel by providing them with effective processes, appropriate tools and placing human rights and the Code of Ethics at the core of their decision making.
These priorities will be achieved by:
- The delivery of training to new and existing Garda personnel;
- The embedding of a recognition of human rights into the day-to-day work of Garda personnel;
- Ensuring that An Garda Síochána keeps abreast of developments in the area of human rights developments
- Governance and accountability of human rights standards;
- Addressing external recommendations;
- Assessing implementation of the Strategy;
- Developing a successor Strategy
This strategy builds on the work completed under the Human Rights Strategy 2020-2022, as well as addressing An Garda Síochána’s obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights Equality Commission Act 2014. It aligns with An Garda Síochána Strategy Statement 2022 – 2024.
The Human Rights Strategy was developed following a widespread consultation process with the following internal and external stakeholders:
- Each Assistant Commissioner and Executive Director within An Garda Síochána;
- Human Rights Champions; · Human Rights, Ethics and Culture Management Board;
- External Human Rights Legal Advisor, Ms Ruth Fitz Gerald S.C.;
- External Bodies with whom the Human Rights Section engaged with during the lifetime of the Human Rights Strategy 2020-2022;
- Members of the Strategic Human Rights Advisory Committee.
The Human Rights Strategy focuses on continuing the process of embedding human rights in every aspect of the work of An Garda Síochána. In keeping with the strategic pillars contained in An Garda Síochána Strategy Statement 2022 -2024, the Human Rights Strategy 2022-2024 commits to prioritising:
- Reducing harm by promoting and protecting the dignity and human rights of victims and all vulnerable persons interacting with An Garda Síochána;
- Promoting and championing An Garda Síochána values within and outside of the organisation having cognisance to our obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014;
- Empowering our personnel, providing them with effective processes, appropriate tools and placing human rights and the Code of Ethics at the core of their decision making.
This strategy document sets out a range of measures in its action plans to ensure the organisation is delivering a human rights focused policing and security service. The feedback from the consultation process and assessment of a broad range of external published reports were used as the basis for the development of the action plans.
These action plans are as follows:
- The delivery of training to new and existing Garda personnel;
- The embedding of a recognition of human rights into the day-to-day work of Garda personnel;
- Ensuring that An Garda Síochána keeps abreast of developments in the area of human rights developments
- Governance and accountability of human rights standards;
- Addressing external recommendations;
- Assessing implementation of the Strategy;
- Developing a successor Strategy.
The Human Rights Section will continue to play a key supporting role in the delivery of the goals set out in this Human Rights Strategy.
In addition to the assistance provided by the External Human Rights Legal Advisor, Ms Ruth Fitz Gerald S.C., the assistance of the Internal Human Rights Legal Advisor, Superintendent Michael McNamara is available to support operational commanders on matters pertaining to constitutional and human rights. This role holder is available to provide advice to the Gold, Silver or Bronze Commander(s) during the planning and command of major events.
The Garda Síochána Human Rights Strategy 2022-2024 can be accessed here.
