1. POBLACHT NA H EIREANN.
TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND.
HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUALITY
YOUTH COUNCIL FOR
We, theYouth Council for Human Rights and Equality, set out
our hopes and desires for Ireland over the next hundred
years. Building upon the ideals of freedom, equality and the
pursuit of happiness and prosperity for every citizen of
Ireland, we support the reinforcement of human rights in
Irish society.
We demand that decent housing is granted as a guaranteed
right to all citizens. We acknowledge that the home is the
foundation for personal and familial development, and is
the most important institution in our country. We aspire to
an Ireland where not one citizen is forced to sleep rough.
We demand that mental health services are constantly
improved and expanded, and that equality of access is
guaranteed. We acknowledge the importance of mental
well being and promote this understanding in all citizens.
We aspire to an Ireland where mental health is viewed like
any other health issue and where seeking treatment for a
mental illness is as common as a physical health checkup.
We demand that citizens are given every opportunity to
reach their potential through unhindered access to all levels
of education. We acknowledge that education is the key to
personal development.We aspire to an Ireland where this is
seen as an equal right of all citizens regardless of
background or situation.
We demand that Irish women’s moral agency is respected
and that their bodily integrity is ensured. We acknowledge
that each citizen must be given the right to independently
make decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive
health. We aspire to an Ireland where comprehensive
reproductive health services are freely and widely
available.
We demand that Irish Traveller ethnicity is fully recognised.
We acknowledge the need to celebrate the diversity present
in Irish society and that Travellers have a major role to play
in this. We aspire to an Ireland where Travellers do not
experience racism and discrimination, and where every
citizen has an understanding of Traveller history and
culture.
We demand that the LGBTQ Community is empowered to
develop confidently as equal members of Irish society. We
acknowledge that while LGBTQ Community members are
equal under law, it is the People of Ireland that must ensure
equality in all aspects of society. We aspire to an Ireland
where all citizens are brought up knowing this truth.
We demand that asylum seekers are provided with decent
living arrangements and equal education opportunities,
and are allowed work to contribute to Irish society. We
acknowledge that Ireland knows the plight of those forced
to leave their homes and that our country must lead the way
in providing refuge for the most vulnerable of people. We
aspire to an Ireland that truly is a land of a thousand
welcomes.
We demand that climate change is treated as a human
rights issue. We acknowledge that around the world
people’s right to food, water, sanitation, housing,
development and life are directly threatened by climate
change. We aspire to an Ireland that plays an active role in
combating the root causes of climate change and supports
those affected.
We demand that the right to privacy is ensured and
reinforced. We acknowledge that technology will continue
to advance at an ever growing pace and that citizens’ right
to privacy will continue to be threatened. We aspire to an
Ireland where technology enhances the lives of every citizen
and where privacy is upheld.
We declare this proclamation in the hope that Ireland
continues to hold human rights as it’s core guiding principle.
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALITY,
BEN SMITH
MEGAN NÍ MHATHÚNA
STEVEN SILKE
SOPHIE HEALY-THOW
NATHAN MCDONAGH
ELLEN CASSIDY
AISLINN CARTY
EMMA BOYCE
HELEN RYAN
PETER BRADY MOANS
HOLLY FARRELL
BEN O’LEARY FITZPATRICK
REGAN MAHER
GEMMA BOVENIZER O’CONNOR
ÓRLAITH BARRY
KIRSTY HAYES