The Irish branch of Amnesty International is calling on the Government to declare if it is prepared to stand up for the human rights of Irish people living in poverty.
A protocol due to be agreed in Geneva next week will allow ordinary citizens who have suffered human rights violations to take complaints against their respective country to a special UN Committee.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Foreign Affairs says Ireland is committed to building the broadest possible support for the new instrument.
However, Amnesty says it is unclear if the Government will support the move comprehensively or will adopt a pick-and-mix approach that prioritises the rights of some people and makes it difficult for others, particularly people living in poverty, to take a case.
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