Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Ireland’s 53rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a United Nations process that reviews the human rights record of every UN Member State. It provides an opportunity for States, civil society organisations and communities to assess progress on human rights and highlight where further action is needed.

Ireland is currently undergoing its 53rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review.

Key Recommendations to Ireland  Fact Sheet

INAR and the Coalition of Stakeholders have developed a shorter set of Key Recommendations to Ireland, outlining priority actions needed to address racism and racial discrimination.

These include stronger action on racial profiling and discriminatory policing; hate crime, extreme hate speech and hate organising; implementation of NAPAR; housing and accommodation; education; and racial discrimination within employment.

READ/DOWNLOAD KEY RECOMMENDATIONS TO IRELAND

INAR and the Universal Periodic Review

As part of this process, the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) and a Coalition of Stakeholders have made a joint submission documenting key concerns relating to racism and racial discrimination in Ireland and putting forward recommendations to the State.

The submission was developed through consultation with INAR member organisations and represents the perspectives of more than 30 stakeholders and INAR’s wider network of over 200 civil society organisations.

It examines six key areas:

  • Policing of racially minoritised people
  • Hate crime, hate speech and hate organising
  • The National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR)
  • The right to housing and accommodation
  • Anti-racism in education
  • Racism in the labour market and workplace

The submission highlights an ongoing gap between Ireland’s commitments on equality and anti-racism and their implementation, calling for stronger resourcing, accountability and action.

INAR’s UPR Submission

On 10 April 2026, INAR and the Coalition of Stakeholders submitted their written contribution to Ireland’s 53rd UPR Session.

The submission brings together grassroots perspectives, lived expertise and research to provide an overview of the human rights situation relating to racism in Ireland.

READ/DOWNLOAD THE FULL UPR SUBMISSION 

How does the UPR work?

Civil society plays a vital role throughout the UPR process. Organisations and communities can submit evidence documenting human rights concerns, contribute recommendations and advocate for these issues to be raised during Ireland’s review.

Following the review, civil society also plays an important role in monitoring Ireland’s progress and advocating for the implementation of recommendations.

UPR Summary of Stakeholders and State Reports are now published.

The Summary of Stakeholders is an official compilation report of 50 stakeholders’ submissions for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). It is prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In this summary, INAR is named as JS4 (Joint Submission 4). The document is word count-limited so not all of our submission could be included however, we are glad to see elements on Hate speech, hate crime and hate organising; the NAPAR and policing mentioned.
State Submission to the OHCHR for the UPR and Summary of Stakeholders https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/ie-index
More information on Ireland’s review https://upr-info.org/en/review/ireland