Emergency legislation brought in due to the Covid-19 crisis must have a set end date and be reviewed to end extended police powers and protect human rights, according to The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL). Extended Garda powers must end, the rights to protest and worship must be protected and better human rights standards for Mandatory Hotel Quarantine must apply, the ICCL report Human Rights in a Pandemic said. The report made a number of recommendations to protect human rights during the Covid-19 response and insisted upon a “rigorous Oireachtas review” and debate on the emergency public health powers which were due to lapse on June 9th. Better data is needed on the use of Garda powers, the report said. The use of spit hoods by gardaí “may constitute inhuman or degrading treatment” and the report called for an “immediate end” to their use.

Source: The Irish Times June 03, 2021 08:07 UTC