The Gazette 1971

against, and one abstention, the International Conven- tion on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrim- ination; it took several years to elaborate the Conven- tion. Our representatives made several eloquent speeches in favour of this Convention at the U.N., but more than five years later we still have not ratified it "The Convention required twenty-seven ratifications before it could become operative; it now has secured some fifty ratifications and is now in operation— but without ratification by Ireland. If any country should have been foremost in ratifying this Convention, it was Ireland. The British Government, which has racial problems, ratified it; the Vatican, to emphasise the importance it attaches to the elimination of racial discrimination, ratified it. But not Ireland. Why? "Two highly important Human Rights Conventions were elaborated by the United Nations to give effect to the provisions of the Universal Declaration; they took over fifteen years to elaborate. They were unanimously adopted on 16th December 1966. They are : 'The Inter- national Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Ireland spoke and voted for the adop- tion of these two Covenants at the United Nations— but it again failed to ratify them. Why? Each of these Covenants require thirty-five ratifications before they become operative; they are still short of the ratifications that are required and Ireland is one of the countries which despite its vocal support is preventing the Cove- nants from coming into operation because of its failure to ratify them. "Of all European nations, we should have a greater interest in strengthening the effective international pro- tection of human rights and civil liberty than others. We complain of discrimination and of denials of civil liberty and rights in Northern Ireland, but we fail to ratify the international conventions designed to elim- inate discrimination and to protect human rights. "Our Government and Diplomatists should interest themselves more actively than they do in the day to day work of the U.N. on human rights and on social defence. Unfortunately, it has been my experience to find that Ireland is often unrepresented at important U.N. international conferences to which it has been invited. "I am also somewhat disappointed at the level of our representation at international U.N. conferences. In

most countries, in addition to officials, outstanding experts or personalities are included in delegations to international conferences. We have in our midst many university teachers, judges, lawyers and writers of great distinction—but we never use them! Instead we are frequently represented by junior, faceless officials who are not free to say anything. "Many countries also make it a practice to include in their delegations to the U.N. Assembly and U.N. Com- mittees, representatives of opposition parties and some- times non-governmental experts. This practice should be given serious consideration by our Government. The different political parties should be given an oppor- tunity to participate actively in our representation at the U.N. "Generally at the U.N. our delegations should take a much more forward and active lead in all matters related to the protection of human rights, and, for the achievement of complete and general disarmament. Our voice should be heard on such issues and not only when we call out for help. "If such a policy is to be pursued, I think that it would be desirable that our Government should consult the specialised non-governmental organisations that have considerable experience in these fields. "However, the first and immediate step should be the ratification by our Government of the International Convention for which we have voted five and six years ago. Our failure to do so before now has already tar- nished our credibility. Several Africans at the United Nations have asked why we have been dragging our feet in regard to the Convention which forbids racial discrimination. "Our failure to ratify human rights conventions and to participate actively in the U.N. on human rights issues has put into question our sincerity when we pro- fess loudly our attachment to the ideals of human liberty—and when we appeal to the U.N. to intervene to protect civil liberties in Northern Ireland. "Is the feet dragging which is so evident in our behaviour on human rights issues due to a deliberate policy, or is it due to sheer negligence? These are questions which the Government should answer." The Irish Times (25th October 1971)

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