Introduction

Ireland has ratified the core UN human rights treaties and a wide range of other international human rights instruments.  This page provides links to the texts of these instruments, information on the status of Ireland’s signature/ratification and reservations and declarations made by Ireland.   The reports submitted under these treaties as well as concluding observations published can be accessed in the Human Rights Reporting section. 

In 2007 Ireland signed five new international treaties, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of All Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

A table of United Nations and Council of Europe human rights instruments which have been signed by Ireland but not yet ratified is attached. 

United Nations 

Core UN Conventions:

Ireland has ratified the six core UN human rights treaties which are listed below. Clicking on the links will also provide comprehensive information relating to these treaties including Optional Protocols to the treaties and Ireland’s ratification status and declarations made under these treaties

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• International Convention on the Rights of the Child
• International Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
• International Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Other UN Documents: 

Ireland has also ratified a number of other UN human rights instruments. They are listed below. Clicking on the links will provide access to the text of the instruments.

In line with the Draft Harmonised Guidelines, Ireland is in the process of compiling its Common Core Document, which will outline the political, legal and administrative structure in Ireland and the general legal framework within which legal rights are protected. 

Charter of the United Nations 

Universal Declaration of Human Rights  

Convention on the Nationality of Married Women
Signed by Ireland: 24 September 1957
Ratified by Ireland: 25 November 1957

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
Signed by Ireland: 17 August 1949
Ratified by Ireland : 9 March 1950

Slavery Convention of 1926 and related instruments   

Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness
Signed by Ireland: 30 August 1961
Not Ratified by Ireland 

Geneva Conventions on Humanitarian Law:

Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War Part 1 
Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War Part 2
Signed by Ireland: 19 December 1949
Ratified by Ireland: 27 September 1962

Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
Ratified by Ireland: 27 September 1962

Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I)
Ratified by Ireland: 19 May 1999

Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II)
Ratified by Ireland: 19 May 1999

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Signed by Ireland: 07 October 1998
Ratified by Ireland: 11 April 2002

Council of Europe

European Convention on Human Rights
Signed by Ireland: 04 November 1950
Ratified by Ireland: 25 February 1953

European Convention for the Prevention of Torture
Signed by Ireland:14 March 1988
Ratified by Ireland: 14 March 1988
Reports on Ireland

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Ratified by Ireland: 07 May 1999
Reports on Ireland

European Social Charter
Ratified by Ireland: 07 October 1964
Ireland's position

Protocol amending the European Social Charter 1997 (clarifies procedural issues)
Ratified by Ireland: 14 May 1997

Protocol amending the European Social Charter (collective complaints procedure 1995)
Signed by Ireland: 04 November 2000
Ratified by Ireland: 04 November 2000 

European Union

Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties Establishing the European Communities and Certain Related Acts

Charter of Fundamental Rights