APT Ireland is so very pleased and appreciative to have our esteemed member – and Treasurer- Mr. Brian O’ Toole as a member of the Irish Civil Society delegation whose attendance is supported by the Irish government, as they attend the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review preview sessions, taking place in Geneva, 24-28 August 2026. (This is subsequent to their joint submission to the Irish UPR of 2026, compiled by Brian O’ Toole).
Brian shared news of the delegation’s proactive participation, with Ireland speaking on 25th August for an hour as members of the delegation spoke to their concerns & recommendations.
Others engaged in lobbying with the Permanent Missions in respect of the issues of Human Trafficking that APT has pursued, together with Edmund Rice International & the Cork Life Centre.
The Irish delegation has spoken with the Permanent Missions of Portugal, Chile, Ecuador & Mexico, the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica & Germany. There was also a Round Table event which was a further opportunity to meet with many other representatives.
In advance of this event in Geneva, Brian issued a series of invitations to the international attendees in the hope of creating a greater degree of interest around the issues and concerns pertinent to the Irish civil Society delegation.
The 25th was a particularly full – and exciting – day as the Irish delegation met with representatives from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs & also had the privilege of meeting the newly installed Ambassador, Laurence Sims who received his credentials on 25th August 2026 as the Permanent representative at the Irish UN Mission, with a staff of approx. 6 or 7.
The Department of foreign Affairs representatives were hugely supportive, encouraging the Irish delegation’s participation and attendance at every event during the UPR Process and also to be sure to attend the formal events on 10 November 2026 at the UPR sessions & through the ECOSOC representation to make another statement next March 2027 at the outcome of the event.
Huge thanks to Brian for his report and accompanying photographs which are of the Irish delegation itself at Geneva, plus a photo of the Irish delegation at the Permanent Mission of Ireland at the UN, following the installation of Ambassador Laurence Sims on 25 August 2026.
To read the UPR of Ireland submission:
UPR of Ireland APT Ireland Submission April 2nd 2026 by Brian O Toole.pdf
