DiversityAware Course

Human Rights and Equality

Human Rights and Equality

To promote and protect human rights and address inequality as experienced by the Traveller and Roma communities.

Facts

  • Travellers in Ireland continue to face discrimination and racism at both individual and systemic levels. Despite decades of advocacy, Travellers were only formally recognised as an ethnic group in 2017, and significant inequality persists. (TASC)
  • A 2022 Council of Europe statement reported “no major improvement” in the “deplorable” living conditions of Travellers, highlighting failures in accountability and use of Traveller accommodation funding.
  • The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Ireland to implement the 2019 Traveller Accommodation Expert Group Report and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission recommendations.
  • Although Travellers make up less than 1% of the population, they are over-represented in homelessness, suicide, poor health outcomes, unemployment and educational disadvantage. (Irish Traveller Movement)
  • Travellers have the same civil and political rights as all citizens under the Irish Constitution.
  • Discrimination on the Traveller community ground occurs when a person is treated less favourably because they are a member of the Traveller community.
  • Members of the Roma community in Ireland have the same rights and responsibilities as other EU citizens.
  • Roma communities face barriers in accessing employment, housing, social welfare and healthcare, and frequently report experiences of discrimination.
Human rights protest
Human rights awareness

Ongoing Work

  • Through advocacy, engagement and service delivery, Donegal Travellers’ Project advances the struggle for human rights and equality for Traveller, Roma and other marginalised communities.
  • DTP provides support to individuals and communities in addressing incidents of institutional racism and discrimination.
  • We work in solidarity with national Traveller and Roma organisations to challenge racism and advocate for effective hate crime legislation.
  • DTP promotes interculturalism, human rights, equality and inclusion in collaboration with community and voluntary organisations across Donegal.
  • We develop culturally appropriate responses to equality issues, including work in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Travellers and Roma.
  • DTP designs and delivers workshops and programmes on human rights, discrimination, and how to report racism in Irish society.
  • We promote the use of ethnic identifiers across services to monitor access, participation and outcomes for Traveller and Roma communities.
  • Through close collaboration with the Donegal Intercultural Platform, DTP educates the public on racism and discrimination and participates in local, national and international anti-racism campaigns.