Following Ireland’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations, a coalition of 23 LGBTQI+ organisations, led by Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), LGBT Ireland and Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, welcomed a number of recommendations that closely reflect its calls for action on intersex rights, conversion practices and tackling hate. However, the coalition has warned important gaps remain in the international recommendations on LGBTQI+ human rights in Ireland.

Housing crisis highlights wider human rights challenges

Ireland’s housing and homelessness crisis featured prominently in the review, reflecting the scale of the country’s wider socioeconomic and human rights challenges.

The coalition’s submission highlighted the economic and structural barriers LGBTQI+ people can face in accessing employment, housing, healthcare and social protection. It called for targeted and inclusive policy measures, better data on LGBTQI+ people’s socioeconomic circumstances, and research into LGBTQI+ financial precarity and wellbeing.

The coalition also called for safe, appropriate and accessible accommodation for LGBTQI+ people seeking international protection. Broader recommendations from several States on accommodation for international protection applicants provide an opportunity to ensure their specific needs are addressed. The coalition stresses that responses to Ireland’s housing and homelessness crisis must be inclusive and ensure marginalised communities are not left behind.

States echo coalition’s priority recommendations on LGBTQI+ rights

The coalition welcomed recommendations from several States that directly reflect key priorities in its joint submission, which was endorsed by 23 LGBTQI+ organisations.

• Intersex rights: Ecuador, Iceland and Malta called for action to protect intersex people from medically unnecessary interventions without their free and informed consent. Malta specifically recommended legislation recognising the right of intersex people to bodily integrity and prohibiting medically unnecessary interventions on children.
• Conversion practices: Iceland recommended a comprehensive ban, while Malta called for legislation to prohibit conversion practices. These recommendations reflect the coalition’s call for legislation protecting the entire LGBTQI+ community.
• Tackling hate: several States raised concerns about Ireland’s legal and policy response. Luxembourg recommended strengthening implementation of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 through training, awareness-raising and data collection. Spain specifically called for an update to the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, while other States called for stronger measures to address hate speech and hate-motivated crimes.
• Action Plan Against Hate: The coalition particularly welcomed a recommendation from the Netherlands calling on Ireland to develop and implement a comprehensive Action Plan Against Hate, in partnership with affected LGBTIQ+ communities, going beyond criminal law to address the root causes of hate. This closely reflects one of the coalition’s central recommendations.
• National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy: Denmark also called for the full implementation and ongoing monitoring of Ireland’s National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy, reflecting the coalition’s priority call for the Government to move beyond commitments and ensure effective implementation, adequate resources and accountability.

Ireland will formally indicate which recommendations it supports and which it notes at a later stage of the UPR process. The coalition urges the Government to demonstrate its commitment to equality and human rights by supporting these recommendations and ensuring their full implementation.

You can read our full submission here.