A strong independent judiciary is key for the protection of human rights. ICCL plays a leading role in public discourse on the anticipated legislation for judicial appointments and judicial accountability. We ensure the strongest possible level of independence of the Irish judiciary, in line with the recommendations set out in our “Justice Matters” report of 2007. Our key calls continue to be for independence and accountability in the judiciary.
We also have a very strong programme of work in law reform.
Reform of Abortion Law
For 35 long years, we campaigned for the Repeal of the 8th Amendment. In 2018, we took a huge step towards the full realisation of reproductive rights for women. Read about our campaign here. We are now focusing our energies on the implementation of the new legislation. We are also calling for safe zones around abortion clinics so that women can access their rights without fear of intimidation.
Reform of Divorce Law
In 2019, we again campaigned for reform of the law on divorce, just as we had done in 1996. We again won the case for liberal reform of the law, removing the mandatory waiting period for divorce from the Constitution.
Read our press release after the yes vote.
Reform of the Electoral Act
ICCL is spearheading the Coalition for Civil Society Freedom, which has been campaigning for reform of the Electoral Act because it prohibits civil society organisations from fundraising for everyday advocacy work. The way in which it is applied is haphazard, but it can be abused by individuals who take issue with the crucial work of CSOs. Recently, Senator Lynn Ruane tabled an amendment to the Act as a direct result of our advocacy.
So far, over 70 CSOs have signed up to support our call for Electoral Act reform.
Call for repeal of the Censorship of Publications Act
The removal of Maser’s repeal the 8th mural during the abortion referendum brought censorship of the arts to the forefront of our minds once again. We took a strong stance against that particular instance of censorship, but until the Censorship of Publications Act is obsolete, the threat of censorship still hangs over artists in Ireland.
Sign our petition calling on the Minister to repeal the act and liberate the arts from the threat of censorship once and for all!
Work on the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill
Adoptees’ rights matter. They particularly matter in a country like Ireland, with our history of forced or illegal adoptions.
Adoptees have the same rights as everyone else to information about their birth. We are concerned that the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will fail to vindicate those rights.
We wrote to all Senators outlining our concerns in advance of the Seanad debate on the bill.
See more of our work on justice for institutional abuse here.
Our laws won’t reform themselves! Please consider donating.