IHREC Understanding and Awareness of Human Rights and Equality in Ireland

Transcription

1 IHREC Understanding and Awareness of Human Rights and Equality in Ireland An Amárach Briefing on behalf of: October 2018/SR/S18-292

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Research Methodology Profile of Sample MAIN FINDINGS: Unprompted understanding of human rights and equality Caring level of engagement with human rights and equality perceived relevance Responsibility for human rights and equality Groups Impacted by human rights violations and discrimination Where Ireland stands on an International level in relation to human rights and equality Do people view housing as a basic human right Perceptions of discrimination experienced by persons with disabilities 2

3 Research Methodology A bespoke online survey was carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) A total sample of 1,200 was achieved with quotas set on gender, age, social class and region to achieve a sample aligned with national population. Interviewing fieldwork dates were 9 th -19 th October. 3

4 Sample Profile (Base: All respondents 1,200) Gender Age % 11 Region 49% 51% Conn/Ulster 18% Rest of Leinster 26% Munster 27% Dublin 29% Social Class ABC1 F50+ 47% C2DE F50-53% 4

5 Human rights and equality encapsulates equality for everyone regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation Spontaneous Equality for all/everyone treated equally Equal rights for travellers/ethnic minorities/other nationalities/race Gender equality Right to shelter/homeless crisis LGBT rights Negative comment towards human rights (overly politically correct etc. ) Access to healthcare/abortion referendum Freedom of speech/expression Equal pay Religious freedom Equality in the work place/right to work Marriage equality Rights for refugees and immigrants Liberty/freedom/free to choose Amnesty/other named charity Access to education All ages treated the same Don't know/ N/A 23% 15% 14% 10% 9% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 16% All others 2% or less Q. Thinking in terms of Irish society specifically, what do you think when you hear the term human rights and equality? Right to equal marriage, right to citizenship, right to obtain an abortion, equal opportunities for men and women. Ireland has become one of the most socially progressive countries in the world after being one of the most conservative. Ireland has room to improve but human rights awareness has improved slowly and needs to continue. 5

6 The vast majority believe that everyone should be treated equally but Ireland is not completely free of human rights issues I believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, you should be treated equally Net Disagree (3%) Disagree strongly (5)(4) (2) 16 Agree strongly (1) 72 Net Agree (88%) Neither/ Nor (3) 7% I care deeply about making Ireland a fairer place in which to live (3%) (86%) 11% Strengthening protections for human rights and equality makes Ireland a better place to live for me and my family (3%) (84%) % Ireland benefits as a whole from being a more inclusive and diverse society (9%) (76%) 14% I would like to be better informed about human rights and equality issues in Ireland (6%) (74%) 19% I think that abuse of human rights is a problem in some countries but not really in Ireland (31%) (49%) 18% *Don t know not reported Q. Thinking of yourself personally, can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 6

7 Females are more likely than males to have an interest in being more informed about human rights and equality issues in Ireland % Agree (1 +2) TOTAL Gender Male Female Age ABC1F50+ Social Class C2DEF50- Dublin Region ROL Munster Con/Ulster I believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, you should be treated equally 88% 86% 91% 92% 85% 84% 90% 91% 89% 88% 88% 86% 90% 89% I care deeply about making Ireland a fairer place in which to live 86% 81% 91% 85% 84% 83% 88% 88% 86% 85% 85% 82% 89% 87% Strengthening protections for human rights and equality makes Ireland a better place to live for me and my family Ireland benefits as a whole from being a more inclusive and diverse society I would like to be better informed about human rights and equality issues in Ireland I think that abuse of human rights is a problem in some countries but not really in Ireland 84% 79% 88% 86% 84% 78% 85% 86% 85% 83% 84% 81% 85% 86% 76% 76% 76% 79% 77% 74% 70% 79% 79% 74% 77% 73% 80% 74% 74% 71% 78% 86% 75% 77% 77% 69% 76% 74% 77% 73% 78% 71% 49% 53% 46% 48% 49% 52% 46% 51% 50% 49% 51% 49% 51% 46% Q. Thinking of yourself personally, can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 7

8 Irish adults feel that the Government is responsible for protecting and promoting human rights, but also that we all have a part to play as individuals Spontaneous Government Everyone Gardai IHREC The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Dept of Justice The courts/the law Amnesty/other NGO Don't know/ N/A 46% 18% 6% 4% 4% 3% 2% 24% All others 1% or less Q. Who do you think is responsible for ensuring that human rights and equality are protected and promoted in Ireland? 8

9 There is a strong onus on employers to ensure that the human rights of employees are protected Employers should ensure that employees' human rights are protected and that they are treated equally in the workplace Net Disagree (1%) Disagree strongly (5)(4) (2) * 1 14 Agree strongly (1) 78 Net Agree (92%) Neither/ Nor (3) 6% Businesses such as retailers, banks and nightclubs should treat all customers equally (2%) * (90%) 8% Public services should be leaders in protecting and promoting human rights and equality (2%) * (89%) 9% International organisations like the UN, EU and Council of Europe should ensure that Ireland meets its human rights and equality obligations (3%) (85%) 10% Protecting human rights and equality is the government's responsibility (4%) (84%) % I have a role to play myself as a member of Irish society in the protection of human rights and equality (3%) (83%) 13% *Don t know not reported Q. Thinking about how human rights and equality are challenged and protected in Ireland, please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 9

10 Those over 55 are most likely to feel that they themselves have a role to play in protecting human rights and equality % Agree (1 +2) Gender Age Social Class Region Employers should ensure that employees' human rights are protected and that they are treated equally in the workplace Businesses such as retailers, banks and nightclubs should treat all customers equally Public services should be leaders in protecting and promoting human rights and equality International organisations like the UN, EU and Council of Europe should ensure that Ireland meets its human rights and equality obligations TOTAL Male Female % 89% 95% 88% 88% 90% 95% 96% 93% 92% 92% 90% 94% 93% 90% 86% 92% 86% 85% 87% 92% 93% 91% 88% 90% 88% 91% 89% 89% 85% 91% 83% 87% 86% 90% 91% 90% 87% 88% 88% 87% 90% 85% 82% 90% 82% 85% 83% 86% 89% 88% 84% 87% 85% 86% 86% 55+ ABC1F50+ C2DEF50- Dublin ROL Munster Con/Ulster Protecting human rights and equality is the government's responsibility 84% 83% 85% 82% 79% 86% 84% 87% 85% 83% 86% 82% 86% 82% I have a role to play myself as a member of Irish society in the protection of human rights and equality 83% 80% 87% 85% 79% 80% 85% 87% 84% 83% 86% 81% 83% 84% Q. Thinking about how human rights and equality are challenged and protected in Ireland, please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 10

11 Members of the Irish Traveller Community are most at risk of having their human rights infringed in Ireland Spontaneous Traveller Community Immigrants Non nationals/ foreigners People of a different race LGBT Group Refugees The Homeless Those living with a disability Women Children Older people Member of a certain religion People living in poverty Minority groups Lone parent Don't know/ N/A 13% % 10% 8% 5% 7% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% * 1% First Mention 15% 13% % % 9% 8% 7% 6% 4% 14% 21% 21% 19% 17% Total Mention 29% All others 1% or less Q. In your opinion, who or what group(s) of people do you think are most likely to have their human rights infringed or to experience discrimination in Ireland? 11

12 While there is a sense of respect for the protection of human rights and equality in Ireland, improvements still need to be made I think we still have some work to do when it comes to protecting human rights and equality in Ireland Net Disagree (3%) Disagree strongly (5)(4) (2) 33 Agree strongly (1) 52 Net Agree (85%) Neither/ Nor (3) 11% There is respect for the protection of each person's human rights and equality (17%) (62%) 21% Irish people welcome diversity and interculturalism in society (19%) (59%) 21% Each person has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the economic, political social or cultural life in Ireland: (26%) (57%) 18% In Ireland no-one's ability to achieve their potential is limited by prejudice, discrimination or neglect (36%) (37%) 26% *Don t know not reported Q. Thinking about Ireland today, please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements?

13 Those aged under 25 are most likely to agree that Irish people welcome diversity and interculturalism in society % Agree (1 +2) Gender Age Social Class Region TOTAL Male Female ABC1F50+ C2DEF50- Dublin ROL Munster Con/Ulster I think we still have some work to do when it comes to protecting human rights and equality in Ireland There is respect for the protection of each person's human rights and equality 85% 81% 90% 85% 82% 81% 88% 89% 86% 84% 85% 84% 85% 87% 62% 64% 61% 69% 67% 59% 62% 59% 61% 63% 62% 61% 66% 59% Irish people welcome diversity and interculturalism in society 59% 57% 59% 71% 65% 54% 54% 56% 57% 60% 58% 57% 62% 56% Each person has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the economic, political social or cultural life in Ireland In Ireland no-one's ability to achieve their potential is limited by prejudice, discrimination or neglect 57% 56% 57% 57% 59% 61% 53% 54% 55% 57% 54% 57% 60% 55% 37% 37% 37% 44% 46% 38% 33% 32% 34% 41% 36% 37% 39% 37% Q. Thinking about Ireland today, please tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 13

14 Just under one quarter of Irish adults think that Ireland is a leader internationally for human rights and equality with a further 42% unsure Is Ireland a leader internationally when it come to human rights and equality Gender DEMOGRAPHICS FOR YES Region Don t know 6% 23% Yes Male Female 26% 20% Dublin ROL 23% 23% Age Munster 23% Unsure 36% % Conn/Ulster 24% % Social Class 35% % ABC1F50+ 24% No % C2DEF50-23% % Q. Do you think that Ireland is a leader internally when it comes to human rights and equality? 14

15 While the majority feel that housing should be a basic human right, especially those under 25, there is less of a desire for it to be included in the Irish constitution Do you think that housing should be considered as a basic human right? Gender DEMOGRAPHICS FOR YES Age Social Class Region Don t know No 6% % 82% Yes TOTAL Male Female ABC1F50+ C2DEF50- Dublin ROL Munster Con/Ulster 82% 79% 86% 89% 81% 81% 86% 79% 81% 84% 83% 81% 82% 83% Do you think that the right to housing should be entered into the Irish constitution? Don t know No 13% 24% 63% Yes TOTAL Gender Male Female DEMOGRAPHICS FOR YES Age ABC1F50+ Social Class C2DEF50- Dublin Region 63% 60% 66% 78% 69% 64% 70% 51% 58% 67% 61% 62% 65% 65% ROL Munster Con/Ulster Q. Do you think that housing should be considered as a basic human right? Q. Do you think that the right to housing should be entered into the Irish constitution? 15

16 Accessing work is seen as the main area where disabled people may encounter discrimination People with disabilities experience discrimination.. Net Disagree While looking for work 8% Disagree strongly (5)(4) (2) Agree strongly (1) 34 Net Agree 74% Neither/ Nor (3) Don t know 15% 5% Accessing public transport 16% % 15% 4% In the work place 13% % 22% 6% In shops, pubs and restaurants 18% % 19% 5% When looking for housing 13% % 22% 9% When accessing education 21% % 21% 6% When accessing financial institutions 17% % 25% 9% When accessing health services 24% % 22% 7% Q. Thinking of yourself personally, can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 16

17 Overall, females are more likely than males to agree that people with disabilities experience discrimination in certain circumstances Gender Age Social Class Region % Agree (1 +2) TOTAL Male Female ABC1F50+ C2DEF50- Dublin ROL Munster Con/Ulster People with disabilities experience discrimination while looking for work 74% 69% 77% 78% 66% 67% 80% 77% 74% 73% 72% 73% 76% 74% People with disabilities experience discrimination accessing public transport 66% 62% 70% 63% 58% 62% 74% 71% 67% 65% 65% 65% 69% 68% People with disabilities experience discrimination in the work place 59% 56% 63% 64% 57% 55% 67% 58% 60% 59% 62% 57% 61% 58% People with disabilities experience discrimination in shops, pubs and restaurants 59% 57% 61% 65% 59% 52% 64% 58% 59% 59% 63% 54% 59% 59% People with disabilities experience discrimination when looking for housing 55% 54% 56% 57% 54% 51% 63% 54% 53% 57% 56% 53% 57% 53% People with disabilities experience discrimination when accessing education 52% 49% 54% 56% 55% 47% 54% 50% 52% 51% 56% 47% 52% 50% People with disabilities experience discrimination in when accessing financial institutions People with disabilities experience discrimination in when accessing health services 49% 44% 53% 56% 47% 47% 51% 47% 47% 51% 51% 47% 48% 50% 48% 41% 53% 45% 51% 46% 47% 47% 47% 48% 51% 44% 48% 45% Q. Thinking of yourself personally, can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements? 17

18 Summary Findings Irish people believe that human rights and equality means that everyone is treated equally. Most commonly, this is inclusive of people of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientation and gender. While the majority of Irish Adults believe that everyone should be treated equally (86%), they are not blind to the fact that the abuse of human rights is still an issue in Ireland as 31% disagree with the statement I think that the abuse of human rights is a problem in some countries but not in others 46% of Irish adults think that the Government is responsible for ensuring that human rights and equality are protected and promoted in Ireland. In relation to how human rights and equality are challenged and protected in Ireland, there is a strong consensus that employers are responsible for the human rights of their employees. There is less of an onus on the personal role we have to play individually compared to the role of business and public services as this received the lowest level of agreement, however it is still high at 83%. 18

19 Summary Findings In Ireland, there is a diverse group of people that are vulnerable to having their human rights infringed on, most commonly those from the Traveller Community and Immigrants. Just under a quarter (23%) feel that Ireland is a leader when it comes to human rights and equality. 35% felt we are not a leader while the remainder (42%) are unsure or don t know The vast majority feel as though housing should be a basic human right (82%), particularly those aged under 25 (89%). For those living with a disability, Irish adults feel that they would be most likely to experience discrimination while looking for work (74%), accessing public transport (66%) or in the actual workplace (59%). 19

20 e. t w. b. Tw. twitter.com/amarachresearch s. slideshare.net/amarach/