162 / 196
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)
164